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Weyerhaeuser Timber Harvest Planning and Operating Ground Rules Version: June 2017

Weyerhaeuser Company FMA Timber Harvest Planning and Operating Ground Rules


2017

WEYERHAEUSER FMA 6900016

TIMBER HARVEST PLANNING AND OPERATING GROUND

RULES

WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY

LIMITED GRANDE PRAIRIE

OPERATIONS

ALBERTA Agriculture and Forestry

ENDORSEMENTS

Weyerhaeuser Company Limited Grande Prairie Operations Planning and Operating Ground

Rules, having been prepared in accordance with Section 16 (2) of FMA 6900016 O.C.

503/2007, and hereby endorsed this 14th day of June, 2017.

Weyerhaeuser Company Limited HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN in right of Alberta as

represented by the Minister of Agriculture and

Forestry

Per:

__________________________________________

Per:

__________________________________________

Traci Carter

__________________________________________

(print name)

Darren Tapp

__________________________________________

(print name)

Strategic Planning

__________________________________________

(title)

Executive Director, Forest Management Branch

__________________________________________

(title)

Original Signed Original Signed


2017

Weyerhaeuser Regional Ground Rules Revisions from 2016 to 2017

(Effective Date: June 1, 2017)

2017 Revisions Ground Rule

Number 2016 Version of the Ground Rule 2017 Version of the Ground Rule

General

3.5.5.1 d)

“minor

amendment”

Any block where roading and bared areas

exceed 5% provided a commitment to

decompact, rollback and plant roads

within a harvest area.

Where there is no commitment to

decompact, and plant roads, the roading

and bared areas may exceed 5% only in

blocks less than 10ha or narrow blocks.

On blocks up to 20 ha – disturbance

attributed to roads and bared areas exceed

5% of the total area and there is a

commitment (silviculture strategy) to

decompact and reforest; or rollback and

reforest roads within the harvest area.

3.5.5.1 d)

“major

amendment”

Blocks exceeding 5% roading and bared

areas where either no commitment is

made to decompact, rollback and plant, or

where the block is greater than 10ha or

not a narrow block.

On blocks greater than 20 ha – disturbance

attributed to roads and bared areas exceed

5% of the total area and there is a

commitment (silviculture strategy) to

decompact and reforest; or rollback and

reforest roads within the harvest area.

On all blocks – disturbance attributed to

roads and bared areas exceed 5% of the total

area and there is no commitment (silviculture

strategy) to decompact and reforest; or

rollback and reforest roads within a harvest

area. 3.5.5.1 e)

“major

amendment”

Added crossings to transitional and higher

class watercourses. Added crossings to transitional and higher

class watercourses.

Added crossings not approved as per Table 4. Table 1.

Standards and

Guidelines for

Operating

Beside

Watercourses

N/A Replaced “machinery” and “skidding” with

“heavy equipment” throughout Table 2.

8.3.1.1 New

Off-highway vehicles (OHV) will cross

streams using approved crossings as per Table

4.


9.4

Operations shall not occur during heavy

rainfall or when soil conditions are above

field capacity (saturated).

Operations shall not occur when soil

conditions are above field capacity (saturated)

(see Figure 1).

9.6

Operations shall cease when instances of

multiple ruts in a limited area are created

that are clearly related to operations

during unfavourable ground conditions.

Ruts are measured using the linear

transect system as defined in the Forest

Soils Conservation Guidelines.

Operations shall cease when instances of

multiple ruts in a limited area are created that

are clearly related to operations during

unfavourable ground conditions.

11.3.4.7.1

Total reclamation may occur in a manner

that permits ATV (all-terrain vehicle) use

during silviculture activities by creating an

undefined debris-free trail.

Total reclamation may occur in a manner that

permits OHV (off-highway vehicle) use during

silviculture activities by creating an undefined

debris-free trail. Watercourse crossings must

still adhere to conditions in 11.4.1. Table 2.

Acceptable

Crossing

Structures

See Table 4 for changes. Added modified logfill and temporary

machine crossings.

Table 3.

Acceptable

Crossing

Structures

New

Bridge can refer to a Native Timber

Bridge or a steel span structure.

Table 4.

Acceptable

Crossing

Structures

Low profile crossings are used

where bank protection is achieved

through simple freezing in during

frozen conditions.

Deleted

11.4.2

Proposed watercourse crossing structures

and locations shall be identified in the

applicable FHP.

Deleted

11.4.19 a) New – previously numbered 11.4.20 Crossing is not associated with or on a road;

11.4.22

Previously numbered 11.4.23

Snow-fills may be used on ephemeral

watercourses provided that all of the

following requirements are met:

Snow-fills may be used as per Table 4provided

that all of the following requirements are met:

Glossary Low Profile Crossing Deleted

Glossary

New

Off-highway vehicle (OHV):

A type of vehicle designed specifically to

operate off highway and can include but is not

limited to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), dirt

bikes, and snow vehicles or as defined under

Section 117 of the Traffic Safety Act. A

rolligon is not considered an OHV under this

definition.


2016

Weyerhaeuser Regional Ground Rules Revisions from 2008 to 2016

(Effective Date: December 1, 2016)

2016 Revisions Ground Rule

Number 2008 Version of the Ground Rule 2016 Version of the Ground Rule

General

3.1 Discussion

Weyerhaeuser is currently working on a new

DFMP that will be complete by 2008. An

interim SHS will be complete by June 30

2006 at which time the following planning

section will be required for all plans

submitted after that date. Operations will

adhere to these ground rules as of the date of

signing as per the transition agreement

between the area and Weyerhaeuser. Until

the SHS is approved, all plans will be

reviewed and approved by Alberta at all

stages of planning.

Weyerhaeuser is currently working on a new

DFMP that will be complete by 2019.

Operations will adhere to these ground rules as of

the endorsed effective date between Alberta and

Weyerhaeuser. This document will be reviewed

again in conjunction with the submission of the

2019 DFMP.

3.3.3

The GDP shall describe volume supply by

area, road standards and construction

schedule, and reclamation activities. The

plan is a notification to Alberta of

proposed activities and exceptions (see

3.3.2) to guide future regulatory activities.

Other forest operators affected by the

GDP must agree in writing to the GDP

before it will be approved. It is expected

that there will be substantial discussion to

resolve significant issues with Alberta

before the FHP is submitted. This

discussion would include addressing major

wildlife concerns such as pre identified

wildlife land use zones and discussion over

recreational areas affected. It is the

responsibility of the operator to ensure

that an over-cut exceeding that allowed in

their tenure document is not exceeded.

(See section 5.1.1)

The GDP shall describe volume supply by

area, road standards and construction

schedule, and reclamation activities. The plan

is a notification to Alberta of proposed

activities and exceptions (see 3.3.2) to guide

future regulatory activities. Other forest

operators affected by the GDP must

acknowledge receipt of the GDP in writing

(email is acceptable) before approval (See

section 5.1.1) It is the responsibility of the

operator to ensure that the cut allowed in

their tenure document is not exceeded.


3.4.6

d) Reforestation strata designation for

each harvest area

c) Regeneration stratum for each proposed

harvest area (based on dominant or largest

area of pre-harvest stratum within the harvest

area, or stratum conversion if known. (see

applicable Alberta policy directives for

further details);

3.4.9 AOP amendments Section moved to 3.5.5 and converted to

Table format. See section for details

3.6.3 New

Utilization standard specific to proposed

salvage plan may be adopted by Alberta to

encourage recovery of timber damaged by

fire or insects and diseases in coniferous

and deciduous stands.

4.1 Discussion

The Mountain Pine Beetle Plan (MPBP) was

developed by Weyerhaeuser in response to

the Mountain Pine Beetle Action for Alberta

(ASRD 2006a) and Interpretive Bulletin of

Planning Mountain Pine Beetle Response

Operations (ASRD 2006b) including

background information for a revised timber

supply analysis for the Grande Prairie Forest

Management Agreement (FMA) area. The

resulting spatial harvest sequence (SHS)

from the timber supply analysis was not field

checked. This was primarily due to the short

timelines for plan completion and the high

level of uncertainty on how the beetle

situation would develop. It was understood

that the SHS would result in operational

variance while still focusing on the plan

objective of reducing MPB susceptible

stands.

Deleted

4.1 Discussion

Collateral volume

Up to an additional 250,000 m3/year of

‘collateral’ volume can be harvested where

logical to pick up spruce and lower

susceptible pine stands that would otherwise

be isolated or uneconomic to return for. This

may also include an adequate supply of

larger diameter spruce to keep the saw mill

profitable and operating while recognizing

that:

- Collateral volume is available during the

coniferous surge cut only; and

- Collateral volume has not been spatially

allocated (i.e., it is not included in the TSA

modeling).

- Collateral volume contributes to the 20%

variance

- Collateral volume could result in the area

Deleted


harvested in certain compartments exceeding

100% of the SHS area.

4.2.1

The tree/piece utilization standard is

stated in the applicable timber disposition

and shall normally be one of the following

standards.

The tree/piece utilization standard is stated in

the applicable timber disposition or Forest

Management Plan and shall normally be one

of the following standards.

4.2.1

Merchantable Tree: one that has a minimum

diameter of 15 cm outside bark at stump

height (30 cm) and a usable length of 4.88 m

to a 10 cm diameter (inside bark).

Merchantable Tree: one that has a minimum

diameter of 15 cm outside bark at stump height

(30 cm) and a usable length of 3.66 m to a 10 cm

diameter (inside bark).

4.2.1

Merchantable Piece: one that is 2.44 m (plus

5 cm trim allowance) or longer, with a 10 cm

(inside bark) small end, where rot content or

form does not render it unusable.

Deleted

4.2.5

All trees/pieces used in the construction of

crossing structures may be scattered or

piled along the right-of-way or in the

harvest area, but they shall not be piled in

riparian areas.

All trees/pieces used in the construction of

crossing structures (including corduroy) may

be scattered within the right-of-way or in the

harvest area, but they shall not be piled in

riparian areas.

4.2.5.1 New

Any merchantable volume used shall be

reported annually to Alberta.

4.2.6 New

Company processing practices cannot create

an unmerchantable piece from a

merchantable tree.

5.3 Discussion

Communication with the owner and/or

operator of a trapline is a key element in

minimizing the impact of timber operations

Communication with the senior licence holder

and/or operator of a trapline is a key element in

minimizing the impact of timber operations

5.3.2

At least ten days prior to commencing

operations, the forest operator shall notify

the trapper, preferably by personal

contact, that timber operations are

beginning in the RFMA.

At least ten days prior to commencing

operations, the forest operator shall make a

reasonable effort to notify the senior licence

holder (trapper), preferably in person or by

phone that timber operations are beginning in

the RFMA.

6.0.2

Predicted average annual water yield

increase does not exceed 20% in third-

order streams unless otherwise approved

in a FMP.

Deleted

6.0.8

Logs shall not be decked in watercourses,

riparian areas, or seepage areas. Logs shall not be decked in watercourses at

any time or seepage areas during non-frozen

conditions.


Table 1 and

Table 2 New

Transitional watercourse definitions and

operating standards – see Table(s) for details

Table 2

(Class “A”

and Class “B”

Watercourses)

Not permitted within 100m of high water

mark.

Not permitted within 100m of high water mark of

mapped watercourse.

Table 2

(Intermittent

Classification)

Heavy equipment may operate within 20 m

only during frozen or dry periods. No

skidding through watercourse except on

snow/ice bridge or logfill. Crossings must be

planned with adequate crossings to be

removed on completion of operations.

Where fish and spawning movements have

been identified, special crossings that do not

obstruct upstream fish passage or cause

stream siltation may be required.

Skidding shall only occur during frozen or dry

periods (soil condition is not susceptible to

degradation).

No skidding through watercourse except on

approved crossing as per Table 4.

Table 2

(Ephemeral

Classification)

Skidding restrictions apply on Class “A” and

“B” waterbody tributaries;

Skidding shall only be during dry or frozen

conditions;

Temporary crossings to be removed on

completion of operations;

On Class “A” and “B” waterbody tributaries,

special crossing structures that do not cause

stream siltation may be required.

Skidding shall only occur during frozen or dry

periods (soil condition is not susceptible to

degradation). Any crossing required as per Table

4 (excluding low-profile crossings) shall be

approved and reported as per 11.4.

Equipment crossing ephemeral watercourses

shall be minimized.

7.1.1 New Note: Existing company structure retention

strategies achieve the intent of 7.1.1

7.2 Preliminary Harvest Plans (7.2.1 – 7.2.3) Deleted

7.3.3

Burning operations shall :

a) Not be conducted during the fire

season, unless otherwise approved

in the Fire Control Plan in the

AOP.

Burning operations shall :

a) Not be conducted during the fire

season, unless otherwise approved by

Alberta through a Burning Permit.

7.3.3

a) Require a post burning survey to

ensure all holdover fires are

extinguished.

a) Require a post burning survey on high

risk sites as agreed to with Alberta to

ensure all holdover fires are extinguished.

7.3.2

The fire control plan of the AOP shall

contain the following:

a) Company Duty Roster

b) List of company woodlands

personnel including contact

information and their fire control

training

c) Key company contacts

d) Heavy equipment resource list

e) Small hand tool resource list and

The fire control plan of the AOP shall contain

the following:

a) Company Duty Roster;

b) List of company woodlands personnel

including contact information and their

fire control training;

c) Fire prevention policies;

d) Fire prevention strategies;

e) Fire prevention priorities (high values at

risk);


their location

f) Company communication system

and numbers and call-signs

g) Fire prevention policies

h) Fire prevention strategies

i) Fire prevention priorities (high

values at risk)

j) Fire operations schedule (i.e.,

harvesting and silviculture

activities within the fire season)

k) Identification of barriers to fire

spread.

f) Company operations schedule including

contractor, size and type of operation and

general location of operations and camps

during the fire season (i.e., harvesting and

silviculture activities within the fire

season); and

g) Location and volume of staged wood

inventory

7.4.2 New

A minimum of 2.5% merchantable coniferous

and 3% merchantable deciduous volume shall

be retained over the FMA area as per the

management plan.

7.7.5

(Discussion) New

Key Wildlife and Biodiversity Zones – see

section for details

7.7.6

(Discussion) New

Arctic Grayling and Bull Trout – see section

for details

8.2.1

a) Before March 1 for silviculture

operations commencing between May 1

and October 31, or

a) Before April 1 for silviculture operations

commencing between May 1 and October 31,

or

8.2.3

d) Summary of Harvest Area Stratum

Declarations, Stratum changes, Final Stratum

& QAC Adjustment (refer to Directive 2005-

01 for details)

I. A summary of stratum declarations

by May 15 of the second year

following the year of cut,

II. A summary of stratum changes for

openings establishment surveyed,

III. A summary of final stratum for

openings performance surveyed,

IV. A summary of annual QAC

adjustment, and net change in

stratum area, based on final

stratum, and

V. A final performance report –

summary of total QAC adjustment

for specific tenure and net change

in stratum area by FMU 6 months

prior to the end of the applicable 5

year quadrant production control

period.

Deleted

9.2

Areas susceptible to rutting, puddling or

compaction shall be harvested during dry

or frozen conditions (e.g., harvest areas

with predominantly imperfectly-poorly

Areas susceptible to rutting, puddling or

compaction shall be harvested during dry or

frozen conditions (when soil condition is not

susceptible to degradation)


drained soils).

11.1.2

All roads, regardless of class, with a

lifespan of greater than five years shall be

built under the authority of a LOC.

All roads, regardless of class, with a lifespan

of greater than three years shall be built

under the authority of a DLO.

11.2.3.2

The forest operator shall submit a table

tracking the status of all non LOC roads

over two years old until they are totally

reclaimed. The reclamation shall be done

as soon as timber operations are complete

or within five years of construction.

The forest operator shall submit a table

tracking the status of all non DLO roads over

two years old until they are totally reclaimed.

The reclamation shall be done as soon as

timber operations are complete or within

three years of construction.

11.3.1.4 New

Temporary road construction activities that

are required outside an approved ROW can

be considered incidental to construction and

will be approved as part of the AOP provided

the following is met:

a) Be immediately adjacent to AOP

approved disposition (temporary road

and associated ROW only);

b) Be reclaimed or reforested in the same

fashion as the adjacent AOP approved

disposition (if applicable);

c) Be without conflict of existing dispositions

and/or adjacent land uses; and

d) Be an activity type and within the

parameters as described below:

Log Decks, Decking and

Chipping Areas:

i. ≤ 0.18 hectares in size;

ii. Located on average ≥400

metres apart

Bank Stabilization:

i. Related to hill cuts

impacted during

construction;

Push Outs:

i. ≤0.04 hectares in size;

ii. Located on average ≥800

metres apart. Where this

distance is not feasible

due to operational

constraints, line of sight

between push outs should

be minimized.

11.3.3.2

Initial erosion control measures shall be

concurrent with grade construction.

Preferably, no more than a two kilometre

length of bared surface shall be developed

between the time the sub-grade is constructed

and the completion of erosion control

Initial erosion control measures shall be

concurrent with grade construction.


activities.

11.3.4.4

Borrow and gravel pits no longer required

must be reclaimed (re-contoured to stable

slopes and re-vegetated) and require a

Reclamation Certificate unless approval

has been given to allow water to fill the pit

for wildlife or wildfire purposes.

Borrow and gravel pits no longer required

must be reclaimed (re-contoured to stable

slopes and re-vegetated). Borrow and gravel

pits held under a Disposition require a

Reclamation Certificate.

11.3.4.7.1 New

Total reclamation may occur in a manner that

permits ATV (all-terrain vehicle) use during

silviculture activities by creating an undefined

debris-free trail.


11.4.20 New

A properly constructed temporary machine

crossing avoids disturbance to watercourse

channels, minimizes bank disturbance, does

not impede natural water flow, prevents

deposition of debris, soil and slash and

includes the following:

a) Tree stems or logs are placed parallel

to the channel no closer than the

thickness of the stem used;

b) Width does not exceed 1.5 times the

width of the machine using the

crossing;

c) Provisions for removal that do not

disturb the banks or introduce

sediment to the watercourse;

Appendix 4 Mountain Pine Beetle addendum Deleted

Glossary –

Delegated

Authority

New

The Government of Alberta personnel located at

the Regional or Area level charged with

supervision of all forest management activities in

a defined Region or Area. It can also mean

someone who is authorized to approve an AOP.

Glossary –

Inter-block

road

New

Any temporary road that extends through a block

to reach another block. It ends at the edge of the

last block connected to the road.

Glossary –

Interior block

road

New Any temporary road that is fully contained within

a block (originates and ends within a block).

Glossary –

Laid Out New

Field assessment of harvest blocks and roads (on

the ground) required prior to submission of

Forest Harvest Plan(s); also includes the

delineation/marking of both harvest area

boundaries and roads on the ground. Examples

of delineation/marking include but are not

limited to: ribbon, paint or other means approved

by Alberta.

Glossary –

Low Profile

Crossing

New

Not a structure, but an approved location where

equipment can cross an ephemeral or intermittent

during frozen conditions simply by freezing in

the crossing location.

Glossary –

Temporary

Machine

Crossing

New

Crossing structure not connected to an existing

road but used for equipment crossing of

ephemeral and intermittent watercourses.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 GROUND RULE SCOPE....................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 REGULAR REVIEWS ......................................................................................................................... 1

2.0 THE TOPICS .......................................................................................................................................... 1

3.0 OPERATIONAL PLANNING ............................................................................................................... 2

3.1 PLANNING PROCESS ....................................................................................................................... 2

3.2 COMPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (CA) ............................................................................................ 3

3.3 GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (GDP) ....................................................................................... 4

3.4 FINAL HARVEST PLAN .................................................................................................................... 5

3.5 ANNUAL OPERATING PLAN ........................................................................................................... 7

3.6 SALVAGE PLANNING .................................................................................................................... 10

4.0 UTILIZATION...................................................................................................................................... 11

4.1 STAND UTILIZATION ..................................................................................................................... 11

4.2 TREE UTILIZATION ........................................................................................................................ 14

5.0 INTEGRATION WITH OTHER USERS .......................................................................................... 15

5.1 DECIDUOUS/CONIFEROUS INTEGRATION ............................................................................... 15

5.2 FOREST RECREATION AND TOURISM ....................................................................................... 15

5.3 TRAPPING ........................................................................................................................................ 16

5.4 RANGE MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................................. 17

5.5 FOREST AESTHETICS .................................................................................................................... 17

5.6 HISTORICAL RESOURCES ............................................................................................................. 18

6.0 WATERSHED PROTECTION ........................................................................................................... 19

7.0 HABITAT MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................................... 26

7.1 LANDSCAPE PLANNING AND HARVEST AREA DESIGN ........................................................ 26

7.2 HARVEST AREA DESIGN AND LAYOUT .................................................................................... 27

7.3 DEBRIS MANAGEMENT AND WILDFIRE PROTECTION ................................................................... 28

7.4 STRUCTURE RETENTION .............................................................................................................. 30

7.5 UNDERSTOREY MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................. 31

7.6 FISHERIES AND THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT ...................................................................... 32

7.7 SPECIES OF SPECIAL MANAGEMENT CONCERN .................................................................... 34

8.0 SILVICULTURE .................................................................................................................................. 43

8.1 PLANNING ........................................................................................................................................ 43

8.2 REFORESTATION PROGRAM ....................................................................................................... 44

8.3 SILVICULTURE OPERATIONS ...................................................................................................... 46

9.0 SOILS ..................................................................................................................................................... 47


10.0 FOREST HEALTH/PROTECTION ................................................................................................. 49

10.1 INSECT AND DISEASE ................................................................................................................. 49

10.2 WEED MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................................. 50

11.0 ROADS ................................................................................................................................................. 51

11.1 ROAD CLASSIFICATION .............................................................................................................. 51

11.2 ROAD PLANNING AND DESIGN ................................................................................................. 55

11.3 ROAD CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND RECLAMATION ......................................... 58

11.4 WATERCOURSE CROSSINGS ..................................................................................................... 61

11.5 ACCESS CONTROL ....................................................................................................................... 65

11.6 CAMPS AND FACILITIES ............................................................................................................. 66

12.0 REPORTING ...................................................................................................................................... 67

Figure 1. Soil Moisture and Compaction Risk .............................................................................................. 48

Table 1. Watercourse Classification.............................................................................................................. 21

Table 2. Standards and Guidelines for Operating Beside Watercourses ....................................................... 23

Table 3. Road Classification and Design ...................................................................................................... 52

Table 4. Acceptable Crossing Structures ...................................................................................................... 61

Appendix 1- Glossary .................................................................................................................................. 68

1 Weyerhaeuser Timber Harvest Planning and Operating Ground Rules Version: June 2017

1.0 GROUND RULE SCOPE Ground rules are the practices used in planning and conducting timber harvesting operations which constitute

the methods used to implement decisions made in the FMP and other higher level plans such as Integrated

Resource Plans (IRP). In the event that these strategic plans do not exist, the ground rules shall establish

practices that minimize the chance of negative impacts from roads, timber harvesting and forest management

operations and activities.

Authorizations by Alberta do not imply authorization under federal legislation and requirements, notably the

federal Fisheries Act and Migratory Birds Convention Act. The proponent may require advice and approvals of

the federal agencies (Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Environment Canada) regarding federal legislation

requirements.

Authorization of the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) does not constitute waiver or exemption from the ground

rules, nor is authorization of the AOP verification of compliance with the ground rules.

The Delegated Authority has the authority to approve Annual Operating Plans and may also waive or amend

the application of specific ground rules in unusual or special circumstances. However, waivers are to be

completed in writing and must conform to departmental policy, the Forests Act, the Timber Management

Regulation, the Public Lands Act and all other applicable provincial legislation or statutes.

1.1 REGULAR REVIEWS

The intent is to have an annual review of ground rules if requested by either forest disposition holders or

Alberta. This is not meant to be a complete redevelopment but rather an opportunity to fine-tune the ground

rules. It is expected that regular reviews will allow participants to plan revisions more systematically and to

correct any inconsistencies or problems. It will also create the ability to regularly consider modifications that

reflect the best and most current knowledge and tools available.

2.0 THE TOPICS

Each topic includes a purpose, discussion, and ground rule heading. All ground rules shall be written following

this format. Bolded text is mandatory and would only be changed if, in Alberta’s opinion, the result is a higher

standard of practice. Non-bolded text may be modified where in Alberta’s opinion it doesn’t apply to an area,

or the issue is handled differently to meet local needs while still meeting Alberta’s expectations.

PURPOSE

A statement of what the topic is designed to accomplish.

DISCUSSION

Include background information, research knowledge, and reasons for the concern. The discussion shall focus

on why a ground rule is needed. Alternative actions or solutions could also be discussed here.

GROUND RULES

These are definitive statements of the desired results to be achieved and a clear indication of what is expected.

The ground rules shall be relevant, measurable, understandable and achievable.

Alberta Timber Harvest Planning and Operating Ground Rules Framework for Renewal Version: June 2017

2

3.0 OPERATIONAL PLANNING

3.1 PLANNING PROCESS PURPOSE

The operational planning process is designed to expedite the implementation of the

FMP. Where management direction has not been established through an approved FMP, then required

decisions shall be made during this operational planning process.

DISCUSSION

Weyerhaeuser is currently working on a new DFMP that will be complete by 2019. Operations will adhere to

these ground rules as of the endorsed effective date between Alberta and Weyerhaeuser. This document will

be reviewed again in conjunction with the submission of the 2019 DFMP.

The planning process includes five main components:

1. Approved Forest Management Plan (FMP)

Spatial Harvest Sequence (SHS) for first two 10-year periods

Recognized Long Term Road Network Planning

2. Compartment Assessment (CA) – A CA shall be required when information or major issues are

identified that in Alberta’s opinion, have not been addressed in the FMP. In the event that the SHS

is deemed by Alberta to be inappropriate due to a significant change in circumstances since the

approval of the FMP, a compartment assessment describing current issues, shall be required. (see

section 3.2)

3. General Development Plan (GDP) The GDP gives a comprehensive description of a forest operator's

proposed harvest strategy, road building plans, and reclamation operations for a five-year period,

and includes all licences and permits. The GDP is used to guide integration of activities. (see section

3.3)

4. Forest Harvest Plan (FHP) – The FHP is a map and associated report describing the laid out harvest

plan. (see section 3.4)

5. Annual Operating Plan (AOP) – The AOP describes operations in detail through a series of

components that shall be submitted together at the same time, or as individual submissions on a

schedule approved by Alberta:

a) Operating Schedule and Timber Production

b) Applicable Forest Harvest Plans

c) General Development Plan

d) Compartment Assessments as required

e) Reforestation Program

f) Fire Control Plan

g) Road Plan

(see section 3.5)

3


3.2 COMPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (CA) PURPOSE

To address significant issues that have arisen since the approval of the FMP.

DISCUSSION

It is recognized that circumstances change over time and it is possible that the SHS approved in the FMP may

prove to be inappropriate. Where Alberta deems it necessary, a CA shall be completed to adjust the operational

plan for the area. CAs are necessary when major new issues or information that have been identified since

FMP approval make the SHS inappropriate. (e.g., Forest fire, insect or disease, species of special management

concern, a major change in land use direction or an unacceptable variance of >20% of the SHS/compartment/

decade as determined by the Area Manager and the manager of FMB) The CA shall describe how the new

issues will be incorporated into the FHP. In completing the CA, operators must consult in a meaningful way

with stakeholders and other operators and strive to reach general agreement on issues. The CA provides an

opportunity to reconsider management strategies at the time of operational planning if warranted.

GROUND RULES

3.2.1 Alberta shall decide on the boundaries of the area on which a CA is required after consultation

with the forest disposition holder.

3.2.2 If a CA is required, the operator must receive Alberta’s approval for the CA prior to the

submission of a FHP.

3.2.3 A CA is considered current if it has been approved by Alberta and the FHP is submitted to

Alberta within three years of approval.

3.2.4 The CA shall include any maps, analyses, and reports deemed necessary by Alberta to

adequately address the issues.

4


3.3 GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (GDP) PURPOSE

To provide a projection of activities for the next five years to:

a) Guide the integration of activities;

b) Schedule timber disposition administration activities;

c) Predict cut control status;

d) Co-ordinate the development and reclamation of roads.

DISCUSSION

The primary components of the GDP include a forecast of the areas scheduled for harvest for a five year period

and a summary of variance from the SHS for existing FHPs or long-term road plans outlined in the FMP. The

GDP must also include the current status and forecast of the respective AACs and cut control period for each of

the operators within the planning area. This could be either a joint submission by all operators or separate

submissions containing consistent information between operators.

In addition to outlining the projected wood supply forecast, the GDP shall also include details regarding road

requirements, and fish and wildlife issues within the planning area. It is expected that there will be substantial

discussion on significant issues with Alberta before the FHP is submitted. Consultation of the GDP with First

Nations is a requirement of Alberta’s First Nations Consultation Guidelines on Land Management and

Resource Development.

GROUND RULES

3.3.1 The GDP submission date is May 1 of each year unless otherwise approved by Alberta. Alberta

shall respond within 30 days. The GDP shall be reviewed subject to an appraisal by Alberta.

3.3.2 The GDP shall contain a summary of any proposed variances from the harvest sequence and

long-term road plan in the FMP. Proposed variances must be approved by Alberta. (see section

4.1.1)

3.3.3 The GDP shall describe volume supply by area, road standards and construction schedule, and

reclamation activities. The plan is a notification to Alberta of proposed activities and exceptions

(see 3.3.2) to guide future regulatory activities. Other forest operators affected by the GDP must

acknowledge receipt of the GDP in writing (email is acceptable) before approval (See section

5.1.1) It is the responsibility of the operator to ensure that the cut allowed in their tenure

document is not exceeded.

3.3.4 When a major change in a company's general development strategy is proposed after the GDP is

received, a revision may be requested by Alberta where the change may affect issuance of

dispositions, the orderly review of AOP's, or integration with other forest operators.

3.3.5 The GDP consists of the following:

1. Schedules with the following information:

a) the areas to be harvested each year of the next five-year period;

b) timber production summary table for all dispositions (by year);

c) Class 1, 2 and 3 road developments showing planning and construction time lines and

the status of DLO applications;

d) all roads noted that are to be monitored, and all outstanding and anticipated

reclamation work related to DLO road and stream crossings;

e) a brief description of potential issues arising from the proposed harvest activities that

have been identified through discussions with Alberta or other known resource users;

f) proposed volumes in satellite yards; and

g) a description of variances (as per 3.3.2) from the SHS and FMP long-term corridor plan

supported by appropriate documentation.

5


2. A map (scale and format as agreed to with Alberta) that shows the following:

a) the mill site location;

b) proposed haul routes (differentiating existing roads from roads to be constructed) and

primary routes to be used for reforestation access;

c) satellite yard locations

d) the timber dispositions to be operated;

e) other important forest resource areas or facilities that could be directly affected by

logging; and

f) the general location of routes, dispositions and facilities where reclamation work is

scheduled and where roads and watercourse crossings are reclaimed.

3.4 FOREST HARVEST PLAN

PURPOSE: To describe the laid out harvest and road design

DISCUSSION

The primary components of a Forest Harvest Plan (FHP) are a map and report that clearly show and document

the harvest area boundaries, roads and water crossings for the compartment. The design shall be valid for five

years from the time of approval, unless issues deemed significant by Alberta arise during this period.

Exceptions may be permissible where the licensees have minor field amendment agreements included as part of

the AOP or otherwise approved. Until the SHS is approved, all plans will be reviewed and approved by

Alberta at all stages of planning.

GROUND RULES

3.4.1 A FHP shall be approved by acceptance if:

a) validated by a RFP;

b) deletes less than 20% of the area sequenced in the SHS, by compartment per decade;

c) the harvest area (ha) does not exceed 100% of the total area in the SHS or strata

description table by compartment per decade as tracked in the GDP; and

d) it adheres to all ground rules as per the FHP checklists.

Where the FHP does not meet one or more of the above standards, the FHP shall undergo a full

review by Alberta. Variances from the SHS shall be reported annually in the FHP in a format

acceptable to Alberta. (See section 4.1.1)

3.4.2 If a CA was completed, the FHP shall undergo a full Alberta referral and review to ensure the

direction in the CA has been implemented.

3.4.3 All FHPs submitted by operators who harvest more than 30,000 m3 each year from crown land,

must be validated by a RFP. Validation means that, the OGRs were followed, the SHS was

followed or variances identified, and all affected operators have agreed to the design. (See

section 5.1.1)

3.4.4 Other forest operators affected by the FHP must agree, in writing, with the FHP before it will be

approved. (see section 5.1.1)

3.4.5 Maps and associated tables shall accurately show the following information:

a) The approved forest inventory

b) Approved SHS and variances from the SHS.

c) All laid out Class 1 – 3 roads within harvest areas and harvest area boundaries for all

timber operators,

d) All Class 4 roads within harvest areas shall be submitted prior to harvest,

e) Current dispositions, reserves, and permanent sample plot locations.

f) Watercourses, their classifications and protective buffers

6


g) Springs, water source and seepage areas

h) Road corridors and DLO numbers and classes for both existing and proposed roads.

Locations of access control measures

i) Planned watercourse crossing locations and watercourse crossing structure types

j) Current information on previously harvested areas, existing trails, seismic lines, power

lines, pipelines and access routes

k) Sensitive wildlife sites as per section 7.7.7.2

3.4.6 In addition to the FHP map, the following information is required:

a) Area (ha), and coniferous and deciduous volume for each proposed harvest area;

b) SHS map with an overlay of laid-out harvest areas depicting all variances from the

SHS;

c) Summary table of variances from the SHS by harvest area for each FHP, (see section

4.1.1);

d) Regeneration stratum for each proposed harvest area (based on dominant or largest

area of pre-harvest stratum within the harvest area, or stratum conversion if known.

(see applicable Alberta policy directives for further details);

e) Dispositions;

f) Description of how the CA is addressed in the FHP, if applicable;

g) List of watercourse crossing location and watercourse crossing structure types unless

otherwise explicitly depicted on the FHP and harvest area map;

h) Access control methods employed if applicable;

i) Description of integration with other users (see section 5.1.1).

3.4.7 Road design and location shall be described for all roads joining harvest areas, and DLO roads

to be constructed for extraction of timber from all proposed harvest areas, if not identified in the

phased road planning process or the FMP’s long term road development plan by the forest

operator. These road comments include the following:

a) Road design, classification, season of use;

b) Choice of corridor location and width;

c) Considerations made for other road users;

d) Considerations made for non-timber resources;

e) Rationale for choice of stream crossing location, structure, and design information;

f) Integration of existing roads into the design.

3.4.8 Where applicable the following comments shall be described for each harvest area:

a) Harvest area comments shall be included on the harvest area form that depicts the laid-

out harvest area boundary and road;

b) Layout bordering and encompassing riparian management zones when different than

the standards in section 6.0;

c) Layout bordering restricted areas, e.g., permanent sample plots (PSPs), private land);

d) Identification of understorey (see section 7.5);

e) Harvest area-specific structure retention and woody debris management strategies;

f) Tactics to address forest health issues;

g) Protection of roadside vegetation - applicable or not, and how to be done;

h) Strategies to address sight distance concerns with an attempt to maintain sight distance

of 400m or less;

i) Need for a detailed harvest area plan (see section 3.4.9);

j) Important wildlife sites as defined in section 7.7.7.2;

k) Historical site considerations;

l) Soil protection measures for unfrozen ground timber operations.

7


3.4.9 Detailed harvest area plans (DHAP) are required when there is higher than average potential

for environmental damage if operations are not carefully planned. Circumstances that merit

DHAPs are:

a) areas of steep topography requiring specific road location and construction or

specialized harvesting equipment.

b) unstable slopes are generally to be avoided but if this is not possible it is necessary to

plan operations carefully to minimize impacts.

c) harvest areas with numerous water source areas, seepages, intermittent, or ephemeral

watercourses.

d) harvest areas that contain sensitive wildlife areas

e) harvest areas requiring understorey protection using protection techniques, (see section

7.5)

f) harvest areas located near high-value recreation areas, tourism areas, and facilities.

g) partial harvests, excluding commercial thinning (CT) and pre-commercial thinning

(PCT).

h) when harvesting is used as a tool to control insects and disease infestations.

i) planned harvest areas exceeding maximum block sizes as defined in section 7.2, or

harvest areas exceeding 100ha in the SHS.

The DHAP shall include a map of appropriate scale to the issue(s) and describe how the concern

will be addressed in operations. DHAPs are not submitted to Alberta but must be available

upon request.

3.5 ANNUAL OPERATING PLAN

PURPOSE

To annually authorize all road, harvest and forest management activities for the operator.

DISCUSSION

The AOP articulates in detail the activities proposed for the current year and must be approved by Alberta

before timber operations shall commence. The AOP components include:

a) Operating Schedule and Timber Production

b) Applicable Final Harvest Plans

c) Compartment Assessments (if applicable)

d) Reforestation Program

e) Fire Control Plan

f) Road Plan

g) General Development Plan

For timber permit operators and small quota holders who harvest less than 30,000 m3 annually, Alberta has

alternate AOP submission requirements.1

GROUND RULES

3.5.1 The AOP submission date is May 1 of each year unless otherwise approved by Alberta. Alberta

shall respond within 30 days. The AOP shall be reviewed by Alberta with approval subject to

the outcome of the review.

3.5.2 The Operating Schedule and Timber Production, Reforestation Program, Fire Control Plan,

and Road Plan, are submitted as in 3.5.1 above, unless otherwise agreed to by Alberta. The

schedule for submitting any necessary CA, GDP and FHPs may be different.

1 TM118 form

8


3.5.3 Only harvest areas and roads with FHP approval shall be scheduled for operations in the AOP

submission.

3.5.4 The Annual Operating Plan shall contain the following components:

a) The map(s) referred to in 3.4.5 above

b) Administrative and Timber Production Information:

I. Name of disposition holder(s)

II. Number of the disposition(s)

III. Date of submission and effective period

IV. Location of mill where timber will be manufactured or processed, unless

alternative reporting has been approved

V. Where all volumes (deciduous and coniferous) will be charged (Quota,

deciduous timber allocation, FMA, Commercial Timber Permit).

VI. Proposed harvest volume to be harvested by timber disposition.

VII. Scaling methodology, e.g., weigh scale, other arrangements, (not necessary if

otherwise submitted)

VIII. Utilization standards

IX. Declaration or list of land use notifications, and Date of Notification See Sec 5.0

c) Operating Schedule – a table which outlines:

I. List of areas proposed for harvest (including opening number, proposed frozen

or non-frozen ground, area and volume by species or species group, with totals)

II. Lists of roads proposed for construction, maintenance and reclamation for non-

DLO roads, except in-harvest area roads. It includes watercourse crossings to

be built or installed or removed/maintained.

III. Declaration of outstanding operational items, or an agreement with Alberta on

reporting of outstanding operational items (debris disposal)

d) Annual Reforestation Program (see section 8.2)

e) Fire Control Plan which covers suppression equipment (see section 7.3 Fire

Management, ground rule 7.3.5)

f) Road Plan (see section 11.2)

g) GDP and CA if applicable

h) as built plan (includes harvest boundaries, road location, road percentages, etc) from

the previous year’s harvest. Minor changes to road location don’t need to be GPS’d, see

3.5.5(e).

3.5.5 All amendments to harvest plans must be justified and submitted to Alberta in writing. RFP

validation of all major amendments is required. All amendments must be incorporated into the

as-built plan.

9


3.5.5.1 Changes listed in the “Minor Amendments” column require only notification to Alberta.

Minor amendments don’t require Alberta’s approval, provided all appropriate background

checks have been made and rationale for the change has been provided (changes can be

made prior to notification but must be reported within 10 working days or on the next

operations report after implementation).

Changes listed in the “Major Amendments” column require the approval of the delegated

authority (Alberta) prior to implementation. Alberta will provide the company with

feedback and/or approval of the AOP amendment within 7 working days of submission. Any

changes that could adversely affect buffers established for the protection of riparian areas,

wildlife sites, historic resources, or aesthetic values or any changes not listed will be

considered a major amendment.

Minor Amendments (Reportable/ Notification

Required)

Major Amendments (Delegated Authority

Approval Required)

a. Additions to the approved AOP harvest area

boundary where the final gross area does not vary

from the area in the approved FHP by more than 5%

for blocks greater than 10 ha, or more than .5 ha for

blocks less than or equal to 10 ha.

For blocks >10 ha, final gross area varies ≥5%

from FHP; for blocks ≤ 10 ha, final gross area

varies >0.5ha from FHP.

b. Any size of operational deletion to the approved FHP

harvest area boundary.

N/A

c. Exterior block roads moved to existing access or

conventional seismic lines where re-growth is less

than 3m and within 100 m of the approved AOP

access.

Exterior block roads requiring the development of

new Right-of-Way clearing (not detailed above) that

are moved less than two Right-of-Way widths from

the approved FHP road location.

Exterior block roads moved to existing access or

conventional seismic lines where re-growth

exceeds 3m or is more than 100m from the

approved AOP access.

Exterior block roads that require development

of new right-of-way (ROW) greater than two

ROW widths from the approved FHP location.

d. On blocks up to 20 ha – disturbance attributed to

roads and bared areas exceed 5% of the total area

and there is a commitment (silviculture strategy) to

decompact and reforest; or rollback and reforest

roads within the harvest area.

On blocks greater than 20 ha – disturbance

attributed to roads and bared areas exceed 5%

of the total area and there is a commitment

(silviculture strategy) to decompact and reforest;

or rollback and reforest roads within the harvest

area.

On all blocks – disturbance attributed to roads

and bared areas exceed 5% of the total area and

there is no commitment (silviculture strategy) to

decompact and reforest; or rollback and reforest

roads within a harvest area.

e. Watercourse crossing structures that have been

upgraded from the approved FHP.

Adding crossings to intermittent and ephemeral

watercourses.

Added crossings to transitional and higher class

watercourses.

Added crossings not approved as per Table 4.

f. Change of a scheduled harvest area harvest season

and its associated roads (including road standard

changes) from non-frozen to frozen.

Change of a scheduled harvest area harvest

season and its associated roads (including road

standard changes) from frozen to non-frozen.

g. The widening of corners to enable safer log truck

turning to a maximum of 15 meters back from each

Widening of corners exceeds 15 metres back

from each side at the intersection of two lines.

10


side at the intersection of two lines.

3.5.5.2 Any change to the approved AOP not listed in 3.5.5.1 shall be treated as a major

amendment and requires the approval of Alberta prior to implementation. Alberta will

provide the company feedback and/or approval of the AOP amendment within 7 working

days of the submission.

3.5.5.3 Notwithstanding the above table, all changes to harvest operations within a timber permit

(CTP, DTP or CCTP) are considered major amendments, and require Alberta’s approval.

3.5.5.4 Any change to harvest area that results in a variance from the approved SHS must be

categorized and reported as per 4.1.

3.6 SALVAGE PLANNING

PURPOSE

Salvage planning shall be implemented when necessary to reduce the potential for loss of fibre.

DISCUSSION

Under certain circumstances, planning shall be expedited to reduce the loss of fibre from fire, disease or insect

infestation; blowdown or other such unforeseen disturbances.

Salvage planning shall not be used when:

a) The disturbance regime is slow moving and can be accommodated under conventional

planning timeframes and protocols.

b) The regime is not an imminent threat to green fibre.

c) Fibre loss is deemed to be within an acceptable range.

Salvage planning does not confer rights to the planner to ignore other values, or the inherent value of a natural

disturbance. It does allow for consideration of all values and for prompt, qualified, professional opinion to

drive the process.

GROUND RULES

3.6.1 Salvage planning is initiated in response to the natural disturbance when deemed appropriate by

Alberta.

3.6.2 A FHP for the salvage area must be developed, and shall form part of the AOP. Modified

timelines and content for the FHP shall be considered by Alberta. Detailed requirements may

be published from time to time by Alberta. It is expected that there will be substantial discussion

to resolve significant issues with Alberta before the FHP is submitted.

3.6.3 Utilization standard specific to proposed salvage plan may be adopted by Alberta to encourage

recovery of timber damaged by fire or insects and diseases in coniferous and deciduous stands.

11


4.0 UTILIZATION

4.1 STAND UTILIZATION

PURPOSE: Track variance from the approved Forest Management Plan (FMP) SHS as well as total area

harvested in order to:

Ensure a sustainable harvest level and future forest objectives are maintained through operations

adhering to the FMP

Improve information for the next FMP, (e.g. landbase, yields)

Make decisions around Final Harvest Plan Acceptance

DISCUSSION

The Alberta Forest Management Planning Standard, Annex 1, Section 6.0 Harvest Planning Standards

indicates scheduling of stands through the FMP - SHS is dependent upon the timber merchantability criteria

allocated in the disposition holder’s tenure document (e.g., FMA, quota certificate) and the management

assumptions used in the timber supply analysis (TSA). Pertinent assumptions are comprised of deletions from

the net landbase (e.g., subjective deletions, stream buffers, protected areas) and parameters that determine a

stand’s eligibility for harvest (e.g. earliest age of harvest). The SHS results from the analysis of these TSA

inputs coupled with basic field reconnaissance. The SHS identifies spatially (subunit and location) and

temporally (period) the queue of stands that will produce the sustainable timber harvest level (AAC) and

desired future forest condition.

Adhering to the SHS is imperative to achieving the timber supply forecasts and the forest conditions expected.

Variance from the SHS will not allow the FMP to realize its objectives and forecasted outcomes. Operational

variance is unavoidable but must be effectively managed.

Variance shall be monitored and reported where:

1) Merchantable Stands scheduled in the first decade of the SHS are not harvested in that decade; and

2) Special Features not identified in the FMP net landbase are encountered during layout or harvesting and

are deleted from the SHS.

Timber Harvest Planning and Operating Ground Rules require timber operators to protect special features

through detailed harvest planning and careful operations. (e.g. riparian buffers, steep slopes, sensitive

sites, cultural/heritage sites, areas with high aesthetic value shall be removed from the SHS.)

Disposition holders shall complete Table 1 and Table 2 as they monitor the operational implementation of their

plans against the SHS. The format of the tables may be changed based on discussions between the Area and

the company as required fields may vary regionally.

Definitions:

Deletion Those stands or portions thereof removed from the 10 year SHS after its approval. Entire stands which

are bypassed (not harvested) are to be tracked and reported as a deletion unless approved by Alberta. Entire

stands may not be temporarily bypassed unless they form part of a logical operational group of harvest areas or

are approved by Alberta for other reasons (i.e. stands near an all-weather road to be temporarily bypassed and

saved for contingency purposes). Only deletions of 1 ha and greater will be classified as variance and reported

in the FHP and GDP.

12


Bypassed: A stand that is deferred from harvest until later in the 10 year SHS timeframe. Entire stands that are

deleted are to be tracked as variance as they are deleted from the FHP. The reason for deleting a stand must be

explained in the FHP.

Variance is any deletion from the SHS to the laid out harvest design as shown in the FHP (Area is not harvested

yet). Where the area tracked as variance in Table 1 has changed by more than allowed for in 3.4.9.1 after

harvesting is complete, an update to variance shall be provided in the next submission of Table 2, see 4.1.3

below.

Total SHS Area is defined as the total SHS area within the FHP.

SHS Planned Area is the total area of the SHS laid out in the FHP.

Actual Harvested Area is the as–built harvested area in the FHP.

Additions: area not part of the 10 year SHS that is added to the FHP harvest area. Area can only be added to

the SHS polygon during layout when an equal or greater amount has been deleted and tracked as variance,

except for collateral volume as defined in the glossary. The sum of total area to be harvested and total area

already harvested cannot exceed 100% of the SHS area/Subunit without moving to appraisal of the FHP. Only

additions of 1 ha or greater will be reported in the tables below. Where the area tracked as additions in Table 1

has changed by more than 5% after harvesting is complete, an update to additions shall be provided in the next

submission of Table 2, see 4.1.3 below.

Total FHP Area is SHS Planned Area + Actual Harvested Area.

Stratum: is the yield stratum used in the FMP timber supply analysis.

Subunit or Compartment: Operational subunits of an FMU delineated by environmental, operational or

watershed characteristics.

GROUND RULES

4.1.1 Companies shall submit a map or shapefile and associated table to show the comparison of the

SHS to the laid out FHP highlighting all deletions and additions >1ha.

4.1.2 Variance shall be reported by stratum for each FHP. The table shall include the minimum

information as per table 1.

Table 1 FHP 1

Stratum Total

SHS

Area

(ha)

SHS

Planned

Area (ha)

Variance

(ha)

Total

Unplanned

SHS Area

Within

Compartment

(ha)

Additions

(ha)

Total

FHP

Area

(ha)

Stratum 1

Stratum 2

Stratum 3

Stratum 4

Sub-Total

Total (%)


13

Proposed harvest area:

4.1.3 Variance from the SHS shall be monitored and reported by subunit or compartment. The cumulative variance for all FHPs shall be reported by

subunit and reported annually in the GDP. The table shall include information as per Table 2. Alberta will appraise any plan exceeding 20%

Variance to determine the need for a compartment assessment per section 3.2.

Table 2 Subunit or Compartment 1

Note 1: Information in the grey boxes is to be used to assess compliance to 3.4.1.

Note 2: Information carried down from table 1 into table 2 may change after harvest where changes to the FHP block exceed 5%.

Note 3: Information will be reported in the next FMP net landbase document.

FHP Total

SHS

Area

(ha)

SHS

Planned

Area

Remaining

(ha)

Actual

Harvested

Area (ha)

Variance Total Unplanned SHS Area

Within Compartment(ha)

Additions Total FHP

Area (ha)

(ha) (%)

> 10 Year SHS (ha)

FHP 1 FHP 2 FHP 3 FHP 4 Sub-Total Total (%)

Legend

SHS Polygon (ha)

SHS Planned Area (ha)

Additions (ha)

Proposed Variance (ha)


14

4.1.4 Additions shall be monitored annually and summarized by area/stratum/subunit and reported

as per the tables above. Stands currently not part of the net landbase that are found to be

productive merchantable landbase may be considered for addition with Alberta’s approval.

4.1.5 Justification shall be provided in the FHP (block comments) for all bypassed stands. The

company shall provide a breakdown of variance summarizing permanent deletions from the

FMP net landbase.

4.2 TREE UTILIZATION

PURPOSE

To utilize all merchantable trees and pieces in a merchantable stand as defined by the timber disposition

and the FMP.

DISCUSSION

Tree utilization assumptions in the FMP must be followed so that sustainability is not affected.

GROUND RULES

4.2.1 The tree/piece utilization standard is stated in the applicable timber disposition or Forest

Management Plan and shall normally be one of the following standards.

Coniferous Utilization Standards

15/10 Utilization

Merchantable Tree: one that has a minimum diameter of 15 cm outside bark at stump height

(30 cm) and a usable length of 3.66 m to a 10 cm diameter (inside bark).

Deciduous Utilization Standards

15/11 Utilization

Merchantable Tree: one that has a minimum stump diameter of 15 cm outside bark and a

merchantable length of 3.66 m or greater to a 11 cm top diameter (inside bark), or to the point

where the stem is unusable or there is no central stem due to heavy branching.

4.2.2 Coniferous and deciduous log butts or large ends exhibiting advanced decay greater than 50%

in area of the cut surface (basal area) may be bucked at 0.61 m intervals or less to 50% sound

wood.

4.2.3 When measured from root collar, stump height shall not exceed a block average of 15cm with a

maximum stump height of no more than 30 cm. Conditions such as steep slopes, deep snow, and

butt flare may cause average stump height to slightly exceed 15cm. A monitoring program

acceptable to Alberta shall be used to measure compliance. Exceptions may be approved in the

FHP. (e.g. to delineate harvest areas, create rub posts for understory protection) The CTP

operators shall not exceed a stump height of 30 cm.

4.2.4 As per the Debris Management and Structure Retention ground rules, forest operators are

permitted to leave merchantable volume in harvest areas if the approved FMP identifies specific

stand structure retention strategies. In the absence of FMP guidance, the standards in section

7.4 apply.

4.2.5 All trees/pieces used in the construction of crossing structures (including corduroy) may be

scattered within the right-of-way or in the harvest area, but they shall not be piled in riparian

areas.

4.2.5.1 Any merchantable volume used shall be reported annually to Alberta.

4.2.6 Company processing practices cannot create an unmerchantable piece from a merchantable

tree.

15


5.0 INTEGRATION WITH OTHER USERS

5.1 DECIDUOUS/CONIFEROUS INTEGRATION

PURPOSE

To ensure that planning, harvesting and reforestation in overlapping dispositions are carried out

efficiently and with a minimum of environmental impact.

DISCUSSION

Due to overlapping tenures, integration of activities between the various operators is essential. Alberta

monitors the integration of roads and harvesting, but the responsibility for co-ordinating plans and operations

lies with the operators.

Integration of activities is necessary to:

a) Reduce the amount of time roads are open

b) Reduce disturbance of wildlife

c) Enable prompt reforestation

GROUND RULES

5.1.1 All operators with timber dispositions in an area covered by a FHP must agree to the FHP

before approval is granted. If agreement cannot be reached after all meaningful consultation

has taken place, the following dispute resolution process can be implemented. Areas of

disagreement will be documented and forwarded to the Delegated Authority or Senior Forester

for review with the reviewing forester. Depending on the exact nature of the disagreement,

Alberta will either: 1) facilitate a dispute resolution process, or 2) direct the operators on areas

of disagreement through conditions of approval. If either proponent disagrees with the

determination of the Senior Forester, they may appeal the decision to the Delegated Authority

for a decision.

5.1.2 All roading, harvesting and silviculture operations shall be completed at a time and in a manner

that enables effective reforestation and minimizes road access.

5.2 FOREST RECREATION AND TOURISM

PURPOSE

To manage the implications of forest management activities on forest recreation.

DISCUSSION

Forest management activities can impact recreational opportunities. Potential exists for increased public

awareness and for increased recreational opportunities through co-ordination with forest management practices.

The FMP shall have addressed recreational issues through a variety of tactics such as deferrals or buffers

around specific sites or access management strategies.

GROUND RULES

5.2.1 Operational tactics to mitigate impacts on recreation and tourism shall be described in the GDP

and FHP or CA where required.

16


5.2.2 The forest operator shall work with groups that have raised concerns with the operator or have

been identified by Alberta.

5.2.3 Roads should be planned to avoid recreation sites. Roads shall be designed to ensure they can be

used safely while minimizing their impact on the recreation values of the area.

5.2.4 FHPs affected by recreational sites and discussed with Alberta under 3.3 of the GDP, shall

provide opportunities for the enhancement of existing recreational trail and road systems

whenever possible, while adhering to the provincial Motorized Access Management Policy on

Industrial Dispositions.

5.3 TRAPPING

PURPOSE

To avoid damage to the infrastructure associated with Registered Fur Management Areas (RFMA) and

to reduce the impact on trapping opportunities.

DISCUSSION

Communication with the senior licence holder and/or operator of a trapline is a key element in minimizing the

impact of timber operations. Discussions held early in the planning process allow both the trapper and the

forest operator to work co-operatively, with the least amount of disruption to their individual operations. Upon

request the local Fish and Wildlife office shall provide the relevant list of trappers.

GROUND RULES

5.3.1 A representative of the forest operator shall personally contact, or send a registered letter to the

senior licence holder of a RFMA during the preparation of the FHP. Information such as cabin

locations, trails and other improvements, or concerns shall be noted at this stage. During the

development of the FHP information and concerns shall be integrated into the plan. The forest

operator shall provide the trapper with a copy of the approved FHP map.

5.3.2 At least ten days prior to commencing operations, the forest operator shall make a reasonable

effort to notify the senior licence holder (trapper), preferably in person or by phone that timber

operations are beginning in the RFMA.

17


5.4 RANGE MANAGEMENT

PURPOSE

To integrate forest and range management operations.

DISCUSSION

The goal is to develop a co-operative, long-term relationship between grazing disposition holders and forest

operators to sustain fibre and forage resources.

At the GDP, FHP and AOP stages of planning, the emphasis is to integrate harvesting, silviculture, and grazing

schedules to ensure the sustainability of timber, forage, wildlife and watershed values (i.e., wildlife habitat,

watershed protection). Specific harvesting and reforestation operations and grazing systems would be

identified within components of the AOP.

Effective communication between the timber and grazing operators is necessary. Discussions held early in the

planning process are intended to enable the grazing disposition holder and the forest operator to work co-

operatively minimizing the disruption to their individual operations. Alberta has developed standards to guide

the integration of timber and grazing. These standards will be used by the two industries to ensure effective

communication and integration is occurring on overlapping dispositions.

GROUND RULES:

5.4.1 The forest operator shall conduct all operations in accordance to the Grazing Timber

Integration Manual as well as Directive SD 2011-03.

5.4.2 The forest operator has ensured that timber operations do not negatively impact the range

infrastructure of the grazing disposition. Examples of these impacts include: damage or

disruption to, range improvements, infrastructure, roads, and bridges (e.g. Fencing, water

developments). The forest operator is responsible to repair and/or replace any damage to these

improvements and infrastructure.

5.4.3 The forest operator shall make reasonable effort to contact the grazing disposition holder or

representative, in person or by phone a minimum of 10 days prior to commencing timber

operations to discuss access and any other issues affecting the range management of the grazing

disposition.

5.5 FOREST AESTHETICS

PURPOSE

To manage the visual impact of timber operations on the forest landscape.

DISCUSSION

The objective is to mitigate the impact of timber operations on the visual quality of the forest landscape by:

Identifying the location of forest landscapes and other areas of high visual and scenic value, and

setting objectives for their management;

Addressing visual quality issues in the FMP.

Areas considered highly sensitive are those:

a) Within, adjacent to or viewed from recreational sites and tourist developments;

b) Seen from elevated public viewpoints;

18


c) Adjacent to or viewed from major travel corridors (roads, lakes and rivers), rural/urban forest interface

and site-specific areas identified during the referral and public review process;

d) Adjacent to primary and secondary highways in Alberta.

Tactics to reduce the impacts of timber harvest and reforestation on visual quality may include: retention of

forest structure and lesser vegetation at strategic vantage points in the harvest area, modification of harvest area

design, low impact scarification techniques, vegetative buffers, and utilizing natural topography.

GROUND RULE

5.5.1 Highly Sensitive areas shall be assessed and tactics shall be employed in the FHP to mitigate the

impacts of harvesting and reforestation on visual quality.

5.6 HISTORICAL RESOURCES

PURPOSE

To ensure that forest operators identify and protect historical and cultural resources.

DISCUSSION

There are many thousands of historical resources (e.g. archaeological and paleontological sites), located on

Alberta’s Crown land. In keeping with the requirements of Alberta Community Development, forest operators

shall develop and implement a process for identifying and protecting resources that are regulated by the

Historical Resources Act.

GROUND RULES

5.6.1 All known historical resources, and lands on which they are likely to occur shall be identified

and managed in keeping with the requirements of Alberta.

5.6.2 Historical resource records are confidential and shall not be shared with the public.

5.6.3 If a previously unknown historical resource is discovered during road building, harvesting, or

silviculture operations, the operations that may directly affect the historical resource shall cease

and of Alberta shall be notified.

19


6.0 WATERSHED PROTECTION

PURPOSE

To manage the implications of timber operations on water quality, quantity, and flow regime by:

minimizing the potential for sedimentation in watercourses

preventing soil, logging debris and deleterious substances from entering watercourses

maintaining aquatic and terrestrial habitat

complying with the Water Act.

DISCUSSION

The FMP shall address watershed water quantity and flow issues. Ground rules define operating practices to

protect water quality and riparian values.

Riparian areas adjacent to watercourses and water source areas perform a number of ecological functions.

Riparian areas help to regulate stream flows (storage and release of surface and groundwater), reduce sheet, rill

and gully erosion, and moderate stream temperature. Functional riparian areas provide bank stability, debris for

creating aquatic habitats and provide a source of food and nutrients for aquatic organisms. Riparian areas also

provide habitats supporting a high diversity of wildlife species and other terrestrial biota, and provide corridors

that can link different landscape and habitat features.


federal Fisheries Act. The proponent may require advice and approvals of the federal agencies (Department of

Fisheries and Oceans) regarding federal legislation requirements.

GROUND RULES

6.0.1 Watercourses shall be classified according to Table 1, Watercourse Classification. In the event

the channel classification is not distinctly evident, the width shall be determined by the average

of measurements taken at 50 meter intervals over the length of the watercourse bordering the

block. Where the distance bordering the block is not enough for two measurements reduce the

measurement interval distance to 25m.

The channel width is the horizontal width of the channel between high-water marks (mean

or annual), or the rooted vegetation on the banks, measured at right angles to the direction

of flow. Multiple channel widths are summed to represent total channel width. (Dictionary

of Natural Resource Management) It is measured from where the channel bank begins to

slope down towards the channel bottom across to the same point on the opposite bank.

6.0.2 Measures must be implemented, including temporary and permanent erosion control measures,

to minimize erosion and sedimentation into the watercourse or waterbody.

6.0.3 Riparian protection areas shall be established as in Table 2, Standards and Guidelines for

Operating beside Watercourses. Where uncertainty exists on the classification of the

watercourse, the watercourse protection area shall be that required by the higher class of

watercourse.

6.0.4 All unmapped or incorrectly classified watercourses encountered during operations shall be

given the appropriate protection as described in Table 2.

6.0.5 Proposals that vary from the standards in Table 2 demonstrate that aquatic and terrestrial

objectives are met. Any such proposals shall undergo a full review by Alberta prior to being

considered for approval.

20


6.0.6 Sediment or deleterious materials (e.g., fuels, oils, greases, industrial or household chemicals or

refuse) shall not be deposited into the water or onto the ice of any watercourse or water body

during road construction, maintenance, harvesting, and reclamation or silviculture operations.

6.0.7 Equipment shall cross watercourses only at approved crossings.

6.0.8 Logs shall not be decked in watercourses at any time or seepage areas during non-frozen

conditions.

6.0.9 Authorized in-stream activities in fish-bearing watercourses shall be scheduled to avoid

disturbing migration, spawning and incubation of fish species, and carried out in such a manner

as to avoid stream sedimentation.

6.0.10 Beaver ponds shall have same classification as the watercourse flowing out of the pond as

measured at a representative width within 50m of the dam.

6.0.11 Harvesting is not permitted within water source areas during non-frozen periods.


21

Table 5. Watercourse Classification Watercourse Classification

Fisheries/Wildlife Values Potential Impacts Type

Mapping

Designation

Physical

Description

Portion of

Year Water

Flows

Channel

Development

Class “A” Waterbodies

Solid Red Line on Watercourse

Crossing Codes

of Practice (Water Act)

Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable

Known habitats critical to the continued

viability of locally or regionally important fish species;

Habitat areas are sensitive enough to be

damaged by any type of in-stream activity or changes to water quality or

flow regime

Fish and fish habitat affected by

sediment load, turbidity, disposition of sediment, chemical contamination or

alteration of stream flow

Class “B” Waterbodies

Solid (Variable

Colour) lines overlain by

small circles on

Watercourse Crossing Codes

of Practice

(Water Act)

Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable

Key broadly distributed habitat areas

important to the continued viability of a

population of locally or regionally

important fish species;

Habitat areas are sensitive enough to be potentially damaged by in-stream

activities;

Potential short and long-term effects of in-stream activities considered to have

detrimental effects on, and are high risk

to, the survival of fish populations

Fish and fish habitat affected by

sediment load, turbidity, disposition of

sediment, chemical contamination or alteration of stream flow

Large Permanent

Solid heavy line or double

line

Major streams or rivers;

Well-defined flood

plains; Often wide valley

bottoms

All year Non-vegetated channel width

exceeds 5m

Resident and migratory fish populations;

Important over wintering, feeding and rearing habitat;

Important wildlife feeding/travel

corridors

Water quality often reflects all

upstream land use impacts and natural

processes; Primarily sedimentation of stream

channels;

Loss of wildlife habitat, restriction of movement

Small Permanent

Usually solid

although are

sometimes broken heavy

lines

Permanent

streams; Often small valley

bottoms;

Bench floodplain) development

All year but may

freeze completely in the winter or

dry up during

periods of drought.

Some are

‘transitional’ to intermittent and

dry up during

drought

Banks and channel

well-defined Channel width from greater

than 0.7m to 5m

Transitional streams channel widths are

generally between 0.4

and 0.7 meters

Significant insect populations; Important spawning and rearing habitat;


Over wintering for non-migratory species;

Important wildlife feeding/travel

corridors;

Primarily sedimentation of stream channels;

Water quality and water yield;

Fish population sensitive to siltation; Loss of stream bank fish habitat;

Loss of wildlife habitat, restriction of

movement

Transitional

Usually solid

although are sometimes

broken heavy

lines

Permanent streams;

Often small valley

bottoms; Bench floodplain)

development

Transitional

streams may

freeze completely in the winter or

dry up during

periods of drought

Transitional streams

channel widths are generally between 0.4

and 0.7 meters

Significant insect populations; Important spawning and rearing habitat;


Over wintering for non-migratory species;

Important wildlife corridors;

Primarily sedimentation of stream

channels;

Water quality and water yield; Fish population sensitive to siltation;

Loss of stream bank fish habitat;

Loss of wildlife habitat, restriction of movement

22


Table 1. Watercourse Classification

Watercourse Classification

Fisheries/Wildlife Values Potential Impacts Type

Mapping

Designation

Physical

Description

Portion of

Year Water

Flows

Channel Development

Intermittent

Usually broken

line;

To be identified

during layout.

Small stream channels;

Small springs are main source outside periods

of spring runoff and

heavy rainfall

During the wet

season or storms

Dries up during drought

Distinct channel

development;

Channel usually has no terrestrial vegetation;

Channel width less than 0.4m;

Usually some bank development

Food production areas;

Potential spawning for spring spawning

species; Drift invertebrate populations in pools

and riffles;

Spring fed areas may provide spawning potential for fall spawning species

Sedimentation from bank and

streambed damage will damage fish spawning and invertebrate habitat as

well as downstream fish habitat;

Water quality and water yield

Ephemeral

Not normally

mapped Often a vegetated draw

Flows only

during or

immediately after rainfall or

snowmelt

Little or no channel

development; Flow area is usually vegetated

Siltation may impact fish habitat

downstream

Sedimentation downstream due to

ground disturbance

Water-

Source

Areas To be identified during layout

Areas with saturated

soils, surface flow or

seepages

All year

May or may not

freeze in winter

No channel development, but

may be pronounced

vegetation changes

Year-round springs provide potential

value to fall spawning fish; Potential high-use areas terrestrial

wildlife

Disturbance may cause downstream sedimentation;

Interruption of winter flow may disrupt

fish egg incubation; Loss of mineral licks

Lakes Solid outline a

water body

Reserved areas

noted on

referral map

Large water collection

areas permanently

filled with water

Normally frozen in winter

Shorelines defined by absence

of permanent terrestrial

vegetation

Important fish-bearing habitat; Important bird nesting/rearing areas

Aesthetic values may be disrupted;

Potential for wildlife disturbance;

Local sedimentation

Oxbow

Lakes Solid Heavy or

Outline

Large water collection

area formed when

oxbow cut off from main river channel.

Often vegetated

Normally frozen

in winter N/A Important habitat for ungulates Thermal cover/grazing areas

23


Table 6. Standards and Guidelines for Operating Beside Watercourses

Watercourse

Classification

Roads, Landings, and Bared

Areas1 Watercourse Protection Areas

Operating Conditions Within Riparian Areas and Water

Source Areas Where Operations are Approved

Tree Felling Equipment Operation

Class “A”

Waterbodies


mark of mapped watercourse. Any existing roads may be maintained at present

classification standards. Any proposed

watercourse crossings within 2 km upstream must be specifically approved in

the AOP

No disturbance or removal of timber

within 100m of the high water mark; No duff disturbance of intermittent (min

10m vegetated buffer) or ephemeral

drainages (minimum 5m vegetated buffer) within 2 km upstream of Class A

waterbody.

Not permitted without specific Alberta

approval

Not allowed without specific Alberta

approval.

Class “B”

Waterbodies


mark of mapped watercourse. Any existing

roads may be maintained at present classification standards. Any watercourse

crossings within 500m upstream must be

specifically approved in the AOP


within the appropriate riparian area

specified by stream type unless specifically approved in the AOP;

No duff disturbance of intermittent

(minimum 10m vegetated buffer) or ephemeral drainages (minimum 5m

vegetated buffer) within 500m upstream of

Class B waterbody.

Trees shall be felled so that they do

not enter watercourse. Should slash or

debris enter the watercourse immediate removal is required

without a machine entering the

watercourse.

Where removal of timber within 60m

is approved, no heavy equipment is

permitted within 30m of the high water mark.

Large Permanent Not permitted within 100m of the high

water mark or water source areas within the riparian management zone unless

specifically approved in the AOP.


within 60m of high water mark unless specifically approved in the AOP. No

removal of timber shall be approved

within 20 m of the high water mark.


not enter watercourse. Should slash or debris enter the watercourse

immediate removal is required

without a machine entering the watercourse.


is approved, no heavy equipment is permitted within 20m of the high

water mark.

Small Permanent Not permitted within 30m of the high water

mark or water source areas within the

riparian management zone unless specifically approved in the AOP


within 30m of high water mark unless

specifically approved in the AOP. No removal of timber shall be approved

within 10 m of the high water mark.





watercourse.


is approved, no heavy equipment is

permitted within 10m of the high water mark.

Transitional Not permitted within 30m of the high water


riparian management zone unless specifically approved in the AOP.

Transitional streams: Buffer of treed

vegetation will be left for 10m from the

high water mark or to the top of the break in slope, whichever is further.





watercourse.

Heavy equipment may operate within

10 m during dry or frozen conditions

(when soil condition is not susceptible to degradation).

No heavy equipment through

watercourse except on approved

crossing as per Table 4.

Continued…

24



Watercourse

Classification






Intermittent Not permitted within 30 m of the high water


riparian management zone unless specifically approved in the AOP.

Buffer of brush and lesser vegetation to be

left undisturbed along the channel;

Width of buffer shall vary according to soils, topographical breaks, water source

areas and fisheries values.

Trees shall be felled so they do not

enter watercourses, unless otherwise

approved by Alberta. Should slash or debris enter the watercourse,


without the machine entering the watercourse.

Heavy equipment operation shall only

occur during frozen or dry periods

(soil condition is not susceptible to degradation).

No heavy equipment through watercourse except on approved

crossing as per Table 4.

Ephemeral Construction not permitted within a

watercourse or water source area.

Buffer of undisturbed vegetation in wet

gullies, Class “A” and “B” waterbody

tributaries to be left undisturbed.

Accumulations of slash and debris to

be removed progressively

Heavy equipment operation shall only

occur during frozen or dry periods

(soil condition is not susceptible to

degradation). Any crossing required as per Table 4 shall be approved and

reported as per 11.4.

Heavy equipment crossing ephemeral

watercourses shall be minimized.

Lakes (little or no

recreation, waterfowl

or sportfish potential


mark unless specifically approved in the

AOP.

On lakes exceeding 4 ha in area, no

disturbance of timber within 100 m of

high water mark except where specifically approved in FHP. Where approval is

granted to remove timber within the 100m

zone, no timber shall be removed within 30m of the high water mark. For lakes

less than 4ha see 7.7.7.2.


enter watercourses, unless otherwise

approved by Alberta. Should slash or debris enter the watercourse,


without the machine entering the watercourse

If timber removal is approved, no

heavy equipment to operate within 20

m of the high water mark.

25



Watercourse

Classification






Lakes (with

recreational,

waterfowl or sport

fish potential)

For shorelines not located within reserved

areas, no disturbances shall be permitted

within 200 m of the high water mark unless specifically approved in the AOP.

On lakes exceeding 4 ha in area, no

disturbance or removal of timber within

100 m of the high-water mark. Alberta in the FHP may require additional protection.

On lakes less than 4 ha, removal of timber

prohibited within 30 m of the high-water mark and any removal within 100 m

requires Alberta’s approval.


enter the waterbody, unless otherwise

approved; Should slash or debris enter the

watercourse, immediate removal is

required without the machine entering the watercourse.

Consideration must be given to

aesthetics when harvesting adjacent

to lakes with recreational potential.

If timber removal is approved, no

heavy equipment to operate within 30 m of the high water mark

Water source Areas

and Areas Subject to

Normal Seasonal

Flooding

Construction not permitted unless approved

in the AOP;

No log decks permitted; The number of stream crossings must be

minimized;

No disturbance of organic duff layers or removal of lesser vegetation.

Treed riparian management zone of at

least 20 m on all water source areas;

No harvest of merchantable trees or disturbances of lesser vegetation unless

specifically approved in the AOP;

Buffer width may be altered according to its potential to produce surface water,

provided it is approved in the AOP

Heavy machinery not permitted with

in water source areas during unfrozen

soil conditions; Minimal disturbance or removal of

duff or lesser vegetation;

Timber may be harvested if stream sedimentation is the only resource

concern, provided there is no

disturbance of the organic soils and lesser vegetation when harvesting the

trees;

On unstable areas subject to blowdown, merchantable trees shall

be carefully harvested from water

source areas to minimize root disturbances of duff layers and

watercourse damming.

Road construction, timber harvest,

reforestation and reclamation shall

be done with equipment capable of operating without causing excessive

disturbance to the soil layers;

Heavy equipment is not permitted during moist or wet soil conditions,

but bay be operated during frozen

periods; No soil caps or depositing of soil

permitted on roads in water source

areas, unless a separation layer is incorporated or the road is designed

to provide adequate surface and sub-

surface drainage away from the road bed;

Where a separation layer is used, the

soil cap shall be removed as operations are completed.

Oxbow Lake Construction not permitted within 100m of oxbow lake unless specifically approved in

the FHP.

Operational buffer of brush and lesser vegetation to be left undisturbed along the

channel;

Heavy equipment not permitted around oxbow lakes during unfrozen

conditions.

Trees shall be felled so they do not enter the waterbody, unless otherwise

approved;

Should slash or debris enter the watercourse, immediate removal is

required without the machine entering

the watercourse.

Approved activities shall be done with equipment capable of operating

without causing excessive

disturbance.

1Recommended buffers on Class “A” and “B” waterbodies are not a requirement of the Code of Practice for Watercourse Crossings. “Mapped” Class “A” and “B”

watercourses refer to maps in Schedule 6 of the Code of Practice for Watercourse Crossings.


26

7.0 HABITAT MANAGEMENT

7.1 LANDSCAPE PLANNING AND HARVEST AREA DESIGN

PURPOSE

To implement timber operations in a manner that ensures landscapes maintain biodiversity and

ecosystem function.

DISCUSSION

Forest operators are expected to manage the forest cover in a manner that maintains biodiversity and ecological

integrity. The SHS approved in the FMP is the mechanism by which the forest cover is managed.

Within landscapes managed for timber production, landscape patterns, cover types and seral stages can be

managed to produce a desired future forest. The coarse filter approach to maintaining biodiversity in managed

landscapes involves managing for suitable amounts and patterns of all forest cover types and all seral stages,

along with managing for inherent natural spatial and temporal variability.

The variability of natural disturbances shall be considered when planning harvest area size and shape. This

variability will help to provide habitat for species that are dependent on natural disturbance regimes. The use of

Alberta Vegetation (AVI) polygon boundaries will help to plan this variability. Use of natural features as

harvest area boundaries is consistent with natural disturbance and shall be used whenever possible.

Landscape planning requires that targets be set that are measurable. Targets describe the amount of each

landscape element that will be created, maintained, or managed, as well as the spatial and temporal variability

(expressed as a range) of each. Creating variability in natural landscapes is important because element amounts

vary between landscapes, and the requirements of biota also vary. Targets will be refined over time using

analysis based on natural disturbances, natural succession processes, current and historical conditions within

the region, sub-region and eco-district or eco-region.

Wildlife species of special management concern are major considerations in the selection of the SHS in the

FMP.

Wildlife movement corridors are required to ensure that animals with large home ranges find passage between

and within managed landscapes. When planning for wildlife habitat and movement corridors, the following

factors shall be considered: watercourse classification/ profile/ pattern and associated valley definition, timber

types and proximity to watercourses, travel corridor width, harvesting method, harvest area shape, continuity of

forest cover or adjacency/size of forest patches.

GROUND RULES

If not otherwise addressed in an approved FMP, SHS or structure retention strategy, the following

ground rules shall apply:

7.1.1 Adjacent watersheds of small permanent watercourses shall have wildlife corridors connecting

their uplands.

Note: Existing company structure retention strategies achieve the intent of 7.1.1.

27


7.2 HARVEST AREA DESIGN AND LAYOUT

PURPOSE

To provide direction for designing harvest areas.

DISCUSSION

Detailed planning of harvest areas must address reforestation, wildlife habitat (e.g., line of site, hiding cover,

sensitive sites), watercourse protection, integration with other land uses, understorey protection, structure

retention, road development and reclamation, and visual quality.

The following items affect harvest area size and shape:

Current inventory polygon boundaries

Tree species, age and silvicultural characteristics

Habitat requirements of species of management concern and species at risk

Key wildlife zones

Amount and distribution of non-productive lands and immature treed lands

Location and size of watercourses and buffers

Location of roads, pipelines and power lines

Topographic features

Presence of viable understorey

Retention of shrub and tree patches

Accessibility to all or part of the compartment

Potential blowdown of peripheral and within-harvest area trees

Insects and diseases

Visual sensitivity

GROUND RULES

7.2.1 Line of sight should be minimized where harvest areas are adjacent to accessible permanent

Class 1, 2 or 3 roads. Targets for the limits of sight distance should be 400 m, but may be

exceeded if well justified in FHP.

7.2.2 Roadside vegetation should be protected in harvest areas to limit the line-of-sight distance across

the harvest area. To minimize breaks in the vegetation screen, only one road entry point shall

be commonly allowed into the harvest area.

7.2.3 Timber harvesting shall not occur on any area where the likelihood of soil water table increases

following harvesting is high, and the risk that the reforested area will not achieve the

regeneration standard is also high.

7.2.4 Alberta permanent sample plots shall not be disturbed or harvested unless such action is

approved by Alberta. These plots shall also be protected from blowdown.

28


7.3 DEBRIS MANAGEMENT WILDFIRE PROTECTION

PURPOSE

To manage the amount and distribution of woody debris left in harvest areas to:

minimize wildfire risk, particularly near communities

optimize ecological benefits

minimize the loss of productive landbase

to minimize the risk of wildfires, and to improve fire suppression capability.

DISCUSSION

Debris or slash accumulation resulting from timber harvest operations must, as a priority, be redistributed or

disposed of to minimize the risk of wildfire ignition and spread. However, it is recognized that some retention

of debris is valuable from an ecological perspective, and that a reasonable amount of debris retention shall

occur to emulate natural forest floor accumulations. Ecological benefits include microtine habitat, furbearer

habitat (when piled), and soil nutrient inputs. When debris is maintained, it must be in such a distribution and

amount to: 1) minimize wildfire risk as a priority, 2) minimize the amount of productive landbase loss by

limiting lost area available for deciduous species suckering, or tree planting, and 3) provide ecological benefit

(coarse filter vs. fine filter).

Landscape-level issues regarding the risk of large fires are addressed in the development of the SHS. The FMP

shall develop objectives, strategies and tactics that consider the risk of occurrence and spread of fire at the stand

and landscape levels.

Opportunities may exist to implement fuel reduction, isolation and conversion on the landscape while

accounting for other values. Where applicable, forest operators shall follow the guidelines in the FireSmart

Protecting Your Community from Wildfire manual.

Acceptable methods of reducing slash hazards are defined in FPD policy Debris Disposal Requirement for

Logging Operations.

GROUND RULES

7.3.1 Slash accumulations resulting from timber harvesting, road, and campsite construction shall be

disposed of within 12 months of operation completion in a manner acceptable to Alberta.

7.3.2 Slash fuel accumulation is not permitted within 5 metres of the perimeter of the harvest area.

The bordering undisturbed forest floor shall be used as a benchmark to determine what

constitutes a significant accumulation. Unacceptable accumulations include piles of trees or

non-merchantable timber, and tops or branches deposited during logging that could create fuel

ladders for fire bordering the stand.

7.3.3 Burning operations shall :

a) Not be conducted during the fire season, unless otherwise approved by Alberta through a

Burning Permit;

b) Include a process to reduce the occurrence of holdover fires and ensure that they are

extinguished prior to the start of the Fire Season.

7.3.4 The FHP shall comply with direction provided in mutually agreed to Community Firesmart

Plans.

7.3.5 The Fire Control Plan shall be submitted on or before March 1 (or prior to the start of the

legislated Fire Season) of each year and shall contain all content consistent with Schedule 1 of

the Fire Control Agreement. In lieu of an existing Fire Control Agreement, the annual Fire

Control Plan of the AOP shall contain the following:

a) Company Duty Roster;

b) List of company woodlands personnel including contact information and their fire control

training;

c) Fire prevention policies;

d) Fire prevention strategies;

29


e) Fire prevention priorities;

f) Company operations schedule including contractor, size and type of operation and general

location of operations and camps during the fire season(i.e. harvesting and silviculture

activities within the fire season); and

g) Location and volume of staged wood inventory.

7.3.5.1 CTP operators shall submit a TM118C (Fire Control Supplement) attached to the AOP.

30


7.4 STRUCTURE RETENTION

PURPOSE

To create temporary refuges for forest biota to re-colonize harvest areas.

To maintain snags and live residual trees in harvested areas for biota that depend on these structures

following natural disturbances.

To provide wildlife thermal and hiding cover within harvest areas throughout the rotation.

To provide wildlife travel corridors within large harvest areas and compartments.

DISCUSSION

Although many types of natural disturbance (fire, floods, avalanches, wind events, insects and disease

infestations, and slumps) occur within Alberta’s forests, fire is the most common. Virtually all trees within

intense fires are killed, but following low and moderate-intensity fires many scattered live trees are present. In

addition, within all fire types, fire “skips” or “islands” result in residual patches of live trees remaining within

larger burned areas. Following other types of natural disturbances, even higher densities of live trees, and

patches of live trees, are present. Approximately 30% of the birds and mammals living in Alberta’s forests nest,

forage or find shelter within live trees that have a basal diameter greater than 20 cm. Many of these species are

able to use single large live trees and residual patches of large live trees that remain after natural disturbances.

The retention of single trees and patches of large live trees in harvest areas makes the harvested areas more

similar to burned areas. In addition, residual live trees may create some old forest attributes in young

regenerating harvest areas. Many of the birds, mammals, insects, beetles, fungi and nonvascular plant species

that live in recently disturbed forests require large snags for food and shelter. This unique biotic community

changes rapidly as the snags fall and the downed logs are incorporated into the forest floor. Some biota become

rare within ten years following a fire, and many of the early colonizing species have disappeared by the time

the stand is twenty years old.

Retaining some large snags within harvest areas creates habitat for some biota associated with naturally

disturbed habitat. Additional large snags may be created, by retaining large live trees, as some of these trees

will die throughout the rotation. To a large extent, however, it will be necessary to rely on natural disturbances

to create abundant large snags for biota that depend on this dead woody material.

Where larger harvest areas are created, it is important to retain a number of individual trees, snags and residual

tree patches distributed across the harvest area. These residual tree patches shall be located such that natural

features, riparian areas, wildlife features, stand structure and composition, and proximity to standing forests are

taken into account to maximize their utility or usefulness by the biotic community.

These ground rules describe the average number of patches per hectare of residual material that will be left

within harvested areas of a landscape unit for those where this is not defined in a FMP. There may be zero

patches of residual structure in any particular harvest area as long as the amount identified in the TSA is met

across the landscape over time. Retention left as part of the required ground rules deletions does not contribute

to the structure retention targets.

Current information suggests that ecological benefits are directly proportional to the amount of structure

retention; ecological benefits increase with greater levels of structure retention. Larger patches of residual

structure generally have more benefits than smaller patches (lower blowdown probability, interior forest

characteristics, hiding and thermal cover) and patches generally have more benefit than individual stems.

GROUND RULES

7.4.1 Residual structure shall be retained in harvest areas during harvest and silviculture operations

(including salvage operations) according to the FMP regarding the amount of structure, size of

patches, species, composition, and distribution. In the absence of direction in the FMP, the

following standards apply.

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7.4.2 A minimum of 2.5% merchantable coniferous and 3% merchantable deciduous volume shall be

retained over the FMA area as per the management plan.

7.4.3 Forest operators should retain structure in the following manner:

a) Residual structure is representative of the previous forest;

b) leave larger patches rather than multiple smaller patches;

c) leave individual stems of residual structure throughout harvested areas, as available;

d) leave as many individual stems of non-merchantable trees, shrubs and snags as operationally

and silviculturally feasible providing they do not create unsafe working conditions;

e) retain residual structure to allow for connectivity between the un-harvested forest (boundary)

and riparian buffers;

f) retain residual structure in patterns and locations that minimize the potential for blowdown;

g) retain residual structure near ephemeral draws and intermittent streams.

7.4.4 Forest operators may create stubs anywhere within the harvested area to supplement snag densities, aid

in wind-firmness of residual patches or for use as rub posts.

7.5 UNDERSTOREY MANAGEMENT

PURPOSE

To protect coniferous understorey during timber harvesting and reforestation operations.

DISCUSSION

The main objective of this ground rule is to protect coniferous understories (understorey) that will contribute to

future forest values. Understorey management must be practiced in all stand types containing white spruce

understorey, and balsam fir where approved by Alberta. Techniques will vary depending on whether the stand

is defined as coniferous or deciduous landbase.

Two understorey management techniques are considered:

••• Avoidance – Used in the deciduous landbase, in white spruce overstory with a white spruce understory,

and low density stands and/or highly aggregated (clumped) understorey distribution. Wind buffering tactics

and pre-planning not specifically required.

••• Protection – Used in the coniferous landbase. Wind buffering tactics utilizing structure retention, pre-

planned strip harvest/skid trails.

The following factors shall be considered when planning to protect understories:

1. Landbase Assignment From Approved FMP – coniferous or deciduous 2. Understorey Characteristics - species, density and height, the health and vigour of the understorey,

the size and wind permeability of the crown, height-diameter ratio (slenderness coefficient)

3. Site Conditions – soil conditions that may limit rooting (e.g., depth to water table), topographic

features that may enhance or diminish wind-firmness, adjacent stand features and impacts on

understorey wind firmness.

The SHS shall specify stands with understorey sequenced for harvest. The expectation is that the operators will

use the AVI inventory to identify stands for primary deciduous or conifer management. Management of

understory will be practiced as per the understory management policy established for the Smoky area. The

future expectation is that the landbase will be balanced back to the AVI inventory. Exceptions will be noted in

the DFMP.

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GROUND RULES

7.5.1 The FHP shall specify harvest areas for understorey protection vs. avoidance techniques. Detail

on management techniques shall be described in the FHP harvest area comments and DHAPs.

7.5.2 Understory discovered in the field, but not previously identified shall be protected as per 7.5.6.

7.5.3 Stands shall be assigned to the deciduous or coniferous landbase in the FMP based on the

approved vegetation inventory.

7.5.4 Pre-harvest acceptable stems are two metres or more in height, are within 75% of the average

understory stand height, have 50% or more live crown, are of good health and vigour, and are

crop trees as defined by the Survey Manual.

7.5.5 Post-harvest acceptable stems have 50% or more live crown and less than 25% of the crown lost

due to top breakage, bole scars (bark removed to the cambium) less than 10 cm (vertical length)

and less than 20% of the bole circumference, and are crop trees as defined by the Survey

Manual.

7.5.6 Understory ‘protection’ shall be practiced in the coniferous landbases. 50% of the acceptable

trees in the understorey shall be retained without harvest damage.

7.5.7 Understory ‘avoidance’ shall be practiced in the deciduous landbase.

7.5.8 ‘Protection’ techniques involve comprehensive pre-planned strip harvest pattern, controlled

random skidding (for clumped u/s distribution), and wind buffering tactics such as aspen

retention. ‘Avoidance’ techniques are used for stands with low density and/or highly aggregated

(clumped) understory distribution. Wind buffering not specifically pre-planned.

7.5.9 A post-harvest regeneration survey shall be conducted in the time frame allowed by the survey

manual to assess success to determine yield curve assignments and management objectives. In

the coniferous landbase the regeneration standard shall be as approved by Alberta. In the

deciduous landbase, the regeneration standard shall be the deciduous standard in the Survey

Manual.

7.6 FISHERIES AND THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT

PURPOSE

To conduct timber operations in a manner that shall minimally affect:

The health, diversity and natural distribution of aquatic biota;

The quantity and productive capacity of the aquatic environment, including fish habitat, and;

Fisheries management objectives identified in the FMP

DISCUSSION

Current provincial and federal legislation require that the aquatic environment and fisheries resources in

Alberta must be protected.

Timber operations can directly affect the aquatic environment and fish habitat in a number of ways. Tree

removal in riparian areas and along stream banks can alter light intensity, nutrient supply, sediment inputs,

water temperatures, stream bank stability and recruitment of large woody debris to the watercourse.

Watercourse crossings, if not properly designed, can create physical barriers to the movement of fish and other

aquatic biota along watercourses. Roads and ditches can intercept and transport sediments from the upland

source to crossing sites where they are deposited in the watercourse. Upland timber harvesting can also affect

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watershed water yield and flow regimes. These effects can lead to changes in aquatic primary productivity,

food-web pathways, aquatic species abundance and distribution, and channel morphology.

The primary strategy for maintenance and protection of the aquatic environment and fish habitat values is to

maintain treed buffers along watercourses and water bodies and adopt rigorous watercourse crossing and

erosion control measures. Alternate management proposals for riparian areas would be considered to support

aquatic environment and fisheries management objectives in the area, where acceptable to Alberta.


federal Fisheries Act. The proponent may require advice and approvals of the federal agencies (Department of

Fisheries and Oceans) regarding federal legislation requirements.

Additional ground rules for any work carried out in and around watercourses are found in section 11.4 –

Watercourse Crossings.

GROUND RULES

7.6.1 All waterbodies and watercourses are presumed to be fish bearing or support fish-bearing

habitat. However, the company may confirm the distribution of fish and fish habitat within the

planning areas by:

a) checking the Fisheries Management Information System (FMIS), Water Act Codes of

Practice and fisheries inventory data, or

b) conducting new inventories, or

c) consulting with the appropriate Area Fisheries Management Biologist.

7.6.2 For any activity that disturbs or alters the bed and banks of a fish-bearing waterbody, an

assessment of the potential effects on fish and fish habitat must be conducted by an individual

with expertise in fisheries and aquatic assessment methods and habitat mitigation measures.

For assessment requirements and methods, refer to Schedule 4 of the Code of Practice for

Watercourse Crossings.


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7.7 SPECIES OF SPECIAL MANAGEMENT CONCERN

PURPOSE

To conduct planning and timber operations in a manner that shall:

Conserve and plan for an agreed upon level of effective habitat for species of special management

concern including woodland caribou, grizzly bear, trumpeter swan and others as determined by

Alberta from time to time.

Maintain the effective habitats for ungulates in river valley environments.

Ground Rules

7.7.1 Access management within Woodland Caribou, Grizzly Bear, and Key Wildlife and Biodiversity

Zones: 7.7.1.1 To the extent possible, all new access roads must follow existing disturbances, unless

doing so will compromise options for subsequent access management (i.e., “traditional

access” issues).

7.7.1.2 Preference shall be given to development and use of winter (frozen ground) roads.

7.7.1.3 As an alternative to winter (frozen ground) roads, summer roads may be developed and

used provided that road width and grade shall be minimized as per Table 3 and 3A.

Preferentially, summer roads shall be temporary “dry weather” routes, with use

suspended when ground conditions are unfavourable.

7.7.1.5 Except where identified and agreed upon within the FHP, only temporary access roads

shall be used.

7.7.1.6 Roads shall be built within the operating year, or built no more than one year prior to

harvesting operations, unless otherwise agreed to by Alberta. Temporary roads shall be

re-contoured and reclaimed (and potentially reforested) within 18 months of completion

of harvesting and hauling operations, unless otherwise agreed to in the operating

schedule.

7.7.1.7 As agreed to between the company and Alberta, effective forms of public access control

for highway vehicles shall be maintained. Control of highway vehicle use of any open

temporary or permanent access route may be required. All “non-traditional” access

routes that are open must have measures in place to prevent highway vehicle traffic.

Options for access management on “traditional” routes must be considered during the

CA or FHP. The need for options to manage off highway vehicle traffic must be

considered in the CA or FHP. See section 11.5 for more detail on Access Management.

7.7.1.8 Reclamation techniques used on access routes must strive to prevent highway vehicle

use and limit off-highway vehicle use.

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Woodland Caribou

DISCUSSION

The FMP strategies and SHS shall describe the harvesting program that will create the desired future

forest, taking into consideration the full range of values including habitat for species of special

management concern.

Woodland caribou are protected as a “Threatened” species under Alberta’s Wildlife Act and the Federal

Species at Risk Act. “A Woodland Caribou Policy for Alberta” provides Government of Alberta intent and

direction for recovery of woodland caribou populations and habitat, including managing industrial work on

caribou range. Both national and provincial woodland caribou recovery processes have been initiated which

may have implications for timber harvesting in Alberta. Woodland caribou range is delineated on provincial

land use referral maps.

Timber operations and management in caribou range can affect caribou populations and habitat directly or

indirectly and in four main ways: 1) creating and maintaining public access routes, 2) altering natural and

human-caused mortality rates on caribou populations (both through access route development and habitat

changes), 3) altering the amount, quality, and effectiveness of caribou habitat, and 4) displacing and causing

undue sensory disturbance to individual caribou. All of the four factors are consequential for caribou

conservation; however, predation rates and habitat changes are of primary concern.

The negative effects of creating and maintaining access routes (public travel, predation, reduced habitat

effectiveness, disturbance and displacement) shall be managed by planning the amount, tenure and class of new

access routes (roads), and by reviewing and acting upon management options (i.e., access management,

abandonment, reclamation, reforestation) for existing routes.

GROUND RULES

7.7.2 Woodland Caribou

Planning

7.7.2.1 If not addressed in the approved FMP and SHS strategies, a CA must be completed that

addresses the following issues:

a. Provide an agreed upon habitat supply forecast including the amount, type, and

spatial arrangement of Caribou habitat.

b. The location of all proposed harvest areas.

c. Options for partial harvest systems.

d. The amount, alignment, standard (road type) and longevity (tenure) of all access

roads.

e. Use of, and improvements to existing access roads.

f. Access road reclamation plan and schedule, which shall also consider options for

reforestation of roads. This shall take into account reclamation options for existing

(“traditional”) access routes.

g. Measures to achieve public and industrial access management.

h. Operating schedule (road construction, harvesting, and silviculture).

i. Protection of key caribou habitat features (as identified by Alberta and company).

j. Terrestrial lichen management strategies (in relation to both harvesting system and

silviculture prescription).

k. Proposed summer operations.

If not addressed in the approved FMP and SHS strategies, the company shall follow 7.7.2.2 – 7.7.2.8.

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7.7.2.2 Silvicultural prescriptions shall strive to limit non-coniferous shrub and tree

regeneration in habitats dominated by coniferous species prior to harvest, and where

regeneration to coniferous-dominant stands is planned. Silvicultural prescriptions shall

strive to protect existing terrestrial lichens, and facilitate terrestrial lichen regeneration.

(see section 8.0 for silvicultural prescription requirements)

7.7.2.3 A sufficient amount of habitat (considering both habitat quality and effectiveness) must

be maintained at all times within the caribou ranges. The FMP shall provide direction

of the amount, configuration and location/adjacency of harvest areas and older seral

stage retention areas, and on rate of harvest.

7.7.2.4 Harvesting operations shall be “concentrated” spatially within caribou range. Provided

green-up requirements are met (unless otherwise approved by Alberta), reserve harvest

area harvesting within previously existing two or three-pass harvest designs within

caribou range shall occur prior to new harvest areas being opened up.

7.7.2.5 In reserve harvest areas, special consideration must occur during the CA if green-up

requirements have not been met or if the resulting post-harvest opening size will exceed

1000 hectares. Special planning and operational tactics shall be defined to address

potential watershed and reforestation concerns. This could include providing

supporting documentation and applying innovative techniques to promote snow catch

and reduce impacts of wind exposure.

7.7.2.6 New harvest areas in caribou ranges shall be no larger than 1000 hectares, or as

strategically directed in the DFMP or other higher level direction.

7.7.2.7 Structure must be left within harvest areas situated in caribou range and shall form

part of the maximum area of harvest. Retention patches shall be used in large harvest

areas to protect areas of concentrated terrestrial lichen growth, and reduce, watershed,

aesthetic, and wildlife related concerns.

7.7.2.8 Areas of concentrated terrestrial lichen growth (where terrestrial lichens are the

predominant ground cover) within proposed harvest areas must be delineated in the

FHP. DHAPs which identify protection measures must be provided to the operator for

these areas. Structure retention in harvest areas within the Caribou range should focus

on these lichen areas. Alberta may request a review of these plans at any time.

7.7.2.9 Winter operations are preferred to protect existing terrestrial lichen growth within

harvest areas, and to retain lichen propagules.

7.7.2.10 Harvest area boundaries shall be based upon natural stand edges, breaks in

topography, and other natural features.

7.7.2.11 Table 3A provides guidance for the building of roads within the Caribou Zone. The

goal is for development of temporary access to minimize grade development but should

not compromise safety.

7.7.2.12 summer harvesting areas shall preferentially be located outside of caribou range or if

within caribou range, be located in proximity to previously existing all-weather access

roads to assist in reducing the need for new summer access routes. As an alternative,

summer harvesting in more remote areas shall have hauling deferred to take advantage

of frozen ground conditions.

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Grizzly Bear

DISCUSSION

The SHS and FMP shall address the harvesting program that is agreed will create the desired future

forest, taking into consideration the full range of values including habitat for species of special

management concern.

Grizzly bears are classified as a “Threatened” species under the Alberta Wildlife Act and as a species of

“Special Concern” under the national COSEWIC system that makes scientific recommendations to Canada.

The Federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) shall apply to grizzly bears in Alberta. A provincial grizzly bear

recovery process has been initiated which may have implications for timber harvest in Alberta.

Timber operations in grizzly bear range can affect grizzly bear populations directly or indirectly in three main

ways: 1) altering natural and human caused bear mortality rates through the creation and maintenance of access

routes 2) altering the amount, quality, and effectiveness of grizzly bear habitat, and 3) displacing and causing

undue sensory disturbance to individual grizzly bears.

Landscape level planning is necessary to ensure the availability of effective habitat and managing mortality risk

for grizzly bears. The indicators of suitable landscape conditions for grizzly bears are habitat effectiveness,

security areas, road density and habitat connectivity. Specific strategies for landscape planning for grizzly bear

shall be agreed upon in the FMP and at the (CA) level.

Creating and maintaining access routes have negative effects on grizzly bear populations through increased

mortality rates, disturbance and displacement. These negative effects shall be managed by minimizing the

amount, tenure and class of new access roads, and by reviewing and acting upon management options (i.e.,

access management, reclamation strategies for existing routes, avoiding or minimizing access development in

critical grizzly bear habitat and by using grizzly bear habitat maps in planning new access). Critical grizzly

bear habitat will be identified prior to approval of the 2008 DFMP. The amount, tenure and class of new access

roads shall be minimized and consistent with the land use objectives in regionally defined key wildlife zones

for the special access areas defined in the regional LFD land use referral maps. Access development will strive

to minimize new human infrastructure.

GROUND RULES

7.7.3 Grizzly Bear

Planning

7.7.3.1 Unless specifically addressed in an approved SHS and FMP strategies, a CA must be

completed that addresses the following issues within identified Grizzly Bear areas:

(a) Provide an agreed upon habitat effectiveness (including mortality risk) supply

forecast including the amount, type, and spatial arrangement of Grizzly

habitat. (completion of this forecast is subject to more technical direction from

Alberta)

(b) The location of all proposed harvest areas.

(c) The amount, alignment, standard (road type) and longevity (tenure) of all

access roads.

(d) Use of and improvements to existing access roads.

(e) Access road reclamation plan and schedule, which will also consider options for

reforestation of roads. This shall take into account options for existing

(“traditional”) access routes.

(f) Effective measures to achieve public and industrial “highway vehicle” access

management.

(g) General operating schedule (road construction, harvesting, silviculture).

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(h) Protection of key grizzly bear habitat features (as identified by Alberta and

company).

(i) Berry crop management strategies (in relation to both harvesting system and

silvicultural prescription).

(j) Proposed summer operations

7.7.3.2 Companies shall minimize the amount, class, and tenure of roads in identified grizzly

bear habitat as defined by the regional LFD land use referral maps. On longer-term

roads access control may by required.

7.7.3.3 Summer roads and crossings should attempt to avoid riparian corridors. Those routes

that lie within riparian corridors shall minimize the ROW width and reduce vehicle

speeds through construction standards and company operating procedures.

7.7.3.4 Roads, skid trails, landings and campsites shall be located where they avoid natural

meadows and den locations.

7.7.3.5 New road applications in grizzly bear range shall be planned to include a schedule of

reclamation and/or deactivation to minimize the establishment of long-term permanent

access.

7.7.3.6 The FMP shall provide guidance on the distribution of harvest area sizes.

7.7.3.7 Known or discovered den sites shall be buffered from harvest area boundaries with a

minimum of 100 m.

7.7.3.8 Retention areas should be used in harvest areas to provide hiding cover and

connectivity to forest patches. Harvest area boundaries shall be based upon natural

stand edges, breaks in topography, and other natural features.

Trumpeter Swan

DISCUSSION

The FHP shall describe the harvesting program that is agreed will create the desired future forest, taking

into consideration the full range of values including habitat for species of special management concern.

Trumpeter swans are classified as a “Species of Special Concern” species under the Alberta Wildlife Act. The

Recommended Land Use Guidelines for Trumpeter Swan Habitat in Alberta located at provides background,

intent, and specific direction for managing industrial work near trumpeter swan breeding wetlands. Locations

of breeding wetlands are found on provincial land use referral maps. A provincial trumpeter swan recovery

process has been initiated which may have implications for timber harvest in Alberta.

Trumpeter swans are sensitive to human disturbance, and human activity in breeding areas may decrease

survival of eggs or cygnets. Trumpeter swans that are disturbed may not nest or may abandon an existing nest.

Therefore, the breeding population continues to be dependent on current management practices and habitat

protection.

Timber harvest planning and operating ground rules must reflect the sensitive nature of this species. These

operating rules serve three primary purposes:

a) protection of the long-term integrity and productivity of trumpeter swan breeding habitat;

b) avoidance of industrial disturbance to trumpeter swans during nesting and rearing of cygnets; and

c) minimize the access created near swan lakes to reduce the potential for secondary disturbance of

trumpeter swans from recreational use.

During the breeding season (April 1 to Sept. 30), low-level (<2000’) aircraft flights may disturb trumpeter

swans. Low-level aircraft flights are discouraged over identified trumpeter swan lakes or water bodies.

39


GROUND RULES

7.7.4 Trumpeter Swan

7.7.4.1 From April 1 to Sept. 30, there shall be no harvesting, hauling, road building or

scarification (including aerial herbicide) activity within 800 m of the edge of the woody

vegetation adjacent to the identified trumpeter swan lakes or water bodies.

7.7.4.2 There shall be no timber harvesting within 200 m of the edge of the woody vegetation

adjacent to the identified Trumpeter Swan lakes or water bodies.

7.7.4.3 An area 200-500 m from the edge of the woody vegetation adjacent to identified

trumpeter swan water bodies shall be managed in a manner that provides additional

protection for the swans. Special measures shall be determined on a site-specific basis

during the FHP. Special measures within this zone shall include site preparation that

reduces the potential for future vehicular access, no general application of herbicides

without Alberta’s approval, and attempts to limit maximum line of sight to 100 m.

Attempts to retain sufficient structure to contribute to a “forested” habitat in this zone

are encouraged. Techniques that limit line of sight and contribute to the treed buffer of

the wetland are encouraged.

7.7.4.4 There shall be no development of long-term infrastructure (roads and camps) within

500 m of the edge of the woody vegetation adjacent to the identified trumpeter swan

water bodies. Only seasonal winter routes shall be permitted within the 500 m buffer

and measures shall be taken during the lifetime of this road to ensure the road is not

active between April 1 and September 30.

Key Wildlife and Biodiversity Zone

DISCUSSION

The SHS and FMP describes the harvesting program that will create the desired future forest, taking


For deer, elk and moose in Alberta, key winter range is often found in river valleys. These landforms contain

the topographic variation and site productivity conditions that provide winter foraging conditions in proximity

to forest and topographic cover. Also, south-facing valley slopes have relatively lower snow accumulations and

warmer bedding sites. The valley landform itself provides protection from high wind chills. Traditional, high

use and high quality winter ranges have been identified on the Wildlife Sensitivity Maps on the basis of several

decades of winter aerial population surveys, supplemented by habitat assessments using aerial photo

interpretation and ground surveys.

Key ungulate winter ranges play a disproportionately large role, given their localized size and distribution, in

maintaining the overall productivity of regional ungulate populations. These ranges ensure that a significant

proportion of the breeding population survives to the next year.

Habitat effectiveness, including maintenance of thermal cover, foraging areas and escape cover is important for

ungulates. Timber operations within and adjacent to key wintering areas adds stress and increases energy drain

for animals. They may be forced to move about unnecessarily and even relocate too less favourable habitat.

This becomes an increasingly significant factor as winter progresses. Activities associated with timber harvest

may also create temporary and permanent access that exposes animals to additional non-industrial disturbances,

increased levels of harvest from licensed and non-licensed hunting, and to increased predator efficiency.

40


In the interest of maintaining productive ungulate populations, operating ground rules must reflect an

understanding of the biology of these animals and the importance of their key winter ranges. These must serve

two primary purposes:

a) protection of the long term integrity and productivity of key ungulate winter ranges; and

b) avoidance of direct and indirect disturbance to animals that are using these winter ranges during the

mid-to late-winter period.

Ground Rules

7.7.5 Key Wildlife and Biodiversity Zones

7.7.5.1 The FMP and SHS shall provide direction on the location/adjacency of harvest areas

and retention areas, and on rate of harvest.

7.7.5.2 The amount, tenure and class of new forest company access roads shall be minimized

and consistent with the land use objectives in regionally defined key wildlife zones

(Landscape Analysis Tool (LAT)). Access development will strive to minimize new

human infrastructure.

7.7.5.3 The alignment and standard of new long-term and permanent access roads must be

identified and agreed upon within the long-term access plan. New long-term and

permanent access roads shall not be developed below the valley “breaks” of rivers,

except in isolated cases for river crossings.

7.7.5.4 Any proposed new crossings of rivers and creeks must be identified and agreed upon

within the Access Management Plan; new permanent crossings shall be avoided.

7.7.5.5 Where possible all access roads shall avoid known key habitat features.

7.7.5.6 Use of existing access roads must be described in the FHP, with particular reference to

public access management, any proposed road improvements and ongoing maintenance.

Potential opportunities for partial or complete route closure and/or reclamation

following planned harvesting and silviculture shall be discussed.

7.7.5.7 Unless otherwise agreed to in the AOP, timber operations should be conducted outside of the

period January 15 to April 30.

7.7.5.8 In order to maintain browse availability, mechanical stand tending activities shall only

remove competing vegetative growth that interferes with the Reforestation Standard of

Alberta (RSA) targets.

Arctic Grayling and Bull Trout

DISCUSSION

The FHP shall describe the harvesting program that is agreed will create the desired future forest, taking


Arctic Grayling are classified as a “Species of Special Concern” and Bull Trout are classified as “Threatened”

under the Alberta Wildlife Act. One of the greatest contributing factors threatening both species related to the

forest industry is the density of linear features (e.g., Class 1-4 roads, skid trails, and all preexisting access).

Development of the FHP must focus on ensuring that best management practices related to construction,

maintenance and reclamation of roads is in place, with the primary intent being the protection of fish habitat

and productivity. This is achieved through the maintenance of natural hydrologic processes, avoiding erosion,

and increasing protection of streams where risks to both species are identified.

41


Timber harvest planning and operating ground rules must reflect the sensitive nature of this species. These

operating rules serve three primary purposes:

a) protection of the long-term integrity, connectivity, productivity and access of arctic grayling and bull

trout to the spawning, rearing, feeding and over wintering habitat within the watershed;

b) protection of water quality and quantity metrics that provide a key component of the habitat that

supports native fish species within watersheds (e.g. temperature, dissolved oxygen content, natural

sediment, avoidance of anthropogenic sedimentation and productivity) to ensure the continued

occupancy and use of historical watersheds by both species; and

c) minimize the industrial footprint and density of linear features intersecting watercourses within arctic

grayling and bull trout watersheds to reduce the potential for secondary disturbance and mortality from

recreational use.

GROUND RULES

7.7.6 Arctic Grayling/Bull Trout

Locations of existing arctic grayling and bull trout can be identified using the Fisheries and Wildlife

Management Information System (FWMIS), and the associated Fish and Wildlife Internet Mapping

Tool (FWMIT).

7.7.6.1 Operational planning by the company should incorporate the use of an available Wet

Areas Mapping tool to identify areas that are sensitive to disturbance. Field

confirmation of these sites including depth to water, potential disruption of

groundwater flows, and areas at high risk of erosion in wet or riparian areas can be a

useful tool in determining road and crossing location.

7.7.6.2 Detailed Harvest Area Plans (DHAP) for operations shall be submitted (as per 3.4.9).

7.7.6.3 Unless otherwise approved, any in-stream activity should occur outside the restricted

activity period (RAP) of April 16 to July 15. Early winter operations are preferred; and

during dry or frozen conditions are best.

7.7.6.4 Site preparation activities within 100 meters of watercourses must prevent input of

sedimentation.

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Other Species

DISCUSSION

Additional habitats of selected wildlife species require maintenance of undisturbed habitats, e.g., breeding or

denning locations. These species require specific sites in order to complete all or part of their life cycles.

7.7.7 Other Species

7.7.7.1 Sensitive sites listed below shall be protected by retention of an undisturbed, forested

buffer (or other management technique) from the edge of the opening associated with

these sites, or from the centre of sites without openings. Both Alberta and the forest

operator shall make a reasonable effort to identify sensitive sites in the FHP. Sites

discovered in the field shall receive the same buffer as those sites previously identified in

planning. Buffer widths and duration shall be agreed to in the FHP.

7.7.7.2 In the event that site-specific buffers or other management techniques are not agreed to

in the FMP and FHP, the following buffer widths shall apply:

Sensitive Site Width of

Forested Buffer

Breeding Sites and Hibernacula of Species at Risk 100 m

e.g. Salamanders, Amphibians and Reptiles

Bat Hibernacula 100 m

Colonial Bird Nesting Area 100 m

Sandhill Crane Nesting Area 100 m

Wolverine Den 100 m

Mineral Licks 100 m

Raptor Nest Tree 100 m

Natural Springs and Beaver Ponds with no outflow channel 20 m-vegetated

Grizzly Bear Den (as per 7.7.3.7) 100 m

Other confirmed den sites 20 m

43


8.0 SILVICULTURE

PURPOSE

To plan and implement silvicultural practices that result in reforested stands that meet approved

regeneration standards.

DISCUSSION

A reforestation program is required by Alberta under TMR 143.1. The reforestation program is a component of

the Annual Operating Plan and contains reforestation prescriptions by strata, and a schedule of treatments for

the upcoming year. The proposed reforestation program provides a link between reforestation operations and

the FMP. The reforestation program must be based on the most current knowledge of treatments (by strata)

which lead to reforestation success in terms of reforestation standards. Reforestation prescriptions are a critical

point in the sustainable forest management planning system where growth and yield strata targets from the

FMP are delivered through well-planned silviculture treatments. Knowledge of how sites respond to different

treatments result in better treatments, and greater probability of success in meeting growth and yield strata

targets, for height, stocking, density and ultimately, strata volumes.

An acceptable silvicultural process includes:

Site assessment (pre or post harvest) based on ecosite classification

A prescription table or ‘matrix’ of silviculture treatments or tactics for specific strata

Regeneration standards based on yield curve strata targets

An annual treatment schedule of activities

An assessment/survey system, and feedback mechanisms to ensure regeneration data is used to refine

the prescription matrix and, in conjunction with all data sources (including permanent sample plot

information), the regeneration standards and post harvest growth and yield assumptions.

GROUND RULES

8.1 PLANNING

8.1.1 All harvest areas shall be treated in a manner designed to ensure that the harvest area shall be

reforested to the applicable stocking and growth standards described in the Reforestation

Standard of Alberta.

8.1.2 The conditions outlined by Alberta must be met prior to planning reforestation of balsam fir or

alpine fir as an acceptable species. See Directive 2001-01 or successors.

8.1.3 Harvest layouts bordering previously harvested areas shall avoid damaging regeneration.

8.1.4 Reforestation timelines prescribed by Alberta shall begin at the start of the timber year

following the end of the timber year when the harvest area has received skid clearance from

Alberta, or from a company representative pursuant to a self-inspection agreement between the

company and Alberta.

8.1.5 Reforestation prescriptions shall be based on site assessments (pre or post-harvest) that include

considerations specific to the site.

8.1.6 The ‘Alberta Forest Genetic Resource Management and Conservation Standards (FGRMS)

shall be adhered to in all silviculture planning and operations. The standards specify rules for

seed and vegetative material collection, registration, storage, handling, and testing for improved

stock.

44


8.2 REFORESTATION PROGRAM

8.2.1 The reforestation program, which is part of the AOP, shall be submitted:

a) Before April 1 for silviculture operations commencing between May 1 and October 31,

or

b) Before September 1 for silviculture operations commencing between November 1 and

April 30, or

c) As otherwise specified in an FMA, or at a time agreed to by Alberta.

8.2.2 Harvest areas (openings) shall be clearly identified. E.g. maps, spatial files, or delineation on the

ground through visual markings.

8.2.3 The reforestation program shall include the following components and information:

a) Silviculture Prescription;

b) Proposed Silviculture Treatment Schedule;

c) Maps as requested by Alberta; and

d) Proposed blocks for declaration in lieu of survey and re-treatment.

a) Silviculture Prescription

The Forest Management Plan contains a Silviculture Strategy table for prescriptions specific to

different forest stratum. Changes to the approved strategy in the FMP are outlined in the AOP.

Proposals for herbicide application shall be submitted for approval in accordance with approved

vegetation management strategies and Alberta requirements. (see Herbicide Reference Manual).

Herbicide proposals are a component of the reforestation program in the AOP, but may be submitted

separately from the AOP.

Commercial thinning proposals shall be submitted for approval as part of the AOP unless otherwise

agreed by Alberta, in accordance with Alberta’s requirements.

b) Proposed Silviculture Treatment Schedule

The Silviculture Treatment Schedule shall contain the following information:

Opening number;

A list of harvest areas and the estimated area (ha) to be treated;

The reforestation strata standard for each harvest area (see below for more detail);

Season or date of activity – summer vs. winter

The following proposed reforestation activities for each harvest area (or stand) shall be listed:

I. Site Preparation – mechanical or chemical treatment

II. Planting – primary species, density range, and notification if outside approved seed zone

III. Seeding – species and notification if outside approved seed zone

IV. Leave for Natural – species

V. Manual Tending – Type (cleaning vs spacing or combination)

VI. Fertilization – type of fertilizer

VII. Herbicide/Insecticide application – type of chemical and method (ground vs. aerial) and

target species for insecticide

VIII. Commercial Thinning

IX. Regeneration surveys – establishment and performance

X. Cone/cuttings collection – (if unknown, Alberta shall be notified regarding collections as

per the Alberta Forest Genetic Resource Management and Conservation Standards

(FGRMS))

XI. Let it grow as a retreatment strategy.

45


Should the proposed reforestation activities for a harvest area change after AOP approval, the

following items require an amendment to the AOP:

o changing to a treatment not approved in the silviculture strategy table for the specific

strata

o additional harvest areas to be treated by any means of treatment

o the remaining changes require notification to Alberta through ARIS reporting.

If a harvest area is declared sensitive, the forest operator shall provide additional information beyond

the strategic and tactical levels (see section 3.4.9). This information shall include the actual

techniques (e.g., type of site preparation machine) and their expected impact on the harvest area

attribute(s) that make it a sensitive site (e.g., providing frequent furrow trenching breaks on downhill

run to reduce erosion).

Note that proposals to deploy seed or vegetative material outside the seed zone or breeding region

require prior approval from Alberta.

Sample Silviculture Treatment Schedule

Opening

Number (ARIS)

Harvest

Area

(ha)

Preliminary

Strata

Declaration

Activity Activity

Area (ha)

Season Comment

HARN004-001 10 C Mounding 4 Winter

c) Map

As part of the reforestation program, a map may be requested (at Alberta’s discretion, the FHP

map may be used) that identifies:

I. All harvest areas to be treated; and all roads and stream crossings to be constructed or used

(designating their season of use).

d) A listing of harvest areas where a declaration is proposed in lieu of a survey for areas not likely to

meet regeneration standards (per TM Reg. 141.6 (1)) and harvest areas where re-treatment is

proposed (per TM Reg. 141.6(2))

I. Blocks where ‘let it grow’ is the retreatment strategy will require survey information

supporting re-treatment rationale.

II. May be submitted for review and approval at any time throughout the year for approval to

ensure timeliness of treatments.

See Section 12.0 REPORTING for reforestation activity reporting requirements.

46


8.3 SILVICULTURE OPERATIONS

8.3.1 Site preparation and other silviculture activities must follow the same AOP conditions and

ground rule standards which apply to timber operations (i.e., stream crossing requirements,

watercourse buffers, and tree/understorey retention).

8.3.1.1 Off-highway vehicles (OHV) will cross streams using approved crossings as per Table 4.

8.3.2 All forest operators who are responsible for reforesting their timber disposition shall treat all

harvest areas within two years from the end of the timber year when the harvest area received

skid clearance. Non-stocked openings shall be treated within one year of failing an

establishment survey.

8.3.3 Establishment and performance regeneration surveys shall be conducted according to the

procedures in the Reforestation Standard of Alberta.

8.3.4 Herbicide, pesticide and fungicide use shall be performed in accordance with Alberta

requirements.

8.3.5 Site preparation equipment shall be free of restricted and noxious weed seed or plant parts

before entry into the working area or before mobilizing between projects according to Alberta

requirements.

8.3.6 Planting boxes shall be disposed of within 24 months of logging (skid clearance). Boxes may be

securely placed within existing debris piles for disposal by burning or removed and landfilled.

All plastic shall be removed from boxes and disposed of at an approved waste disposal site prior

to burning. Based on compliance to this rule, Alberta may condition the AOP for removal of all

planting boxes.

47


9.0 SOILS

PURPOSE

To conduct timber harvest, road construction, reforestation and reclamation operations in a way

that shall:

Minimize the potential for soil erosion

Prevent soil, logging debris and deleterious substances from entering watercourses

Ensure that the capability of the site to support healthy forest tree growth is maintained.

DISCUSSION

Minimizing soil displacement, compaction and rutting/puddling during road construction, harvesting, and

silvicultural operations is a primary concern. Soils are most at risk of compaction and rutting/puddling when

the soil is moist or wet, with the more poorly drained soils remaining wetter longer. The soils are equally at risk

in the winter months if they are wet and the soil has not frozen, which is a common occurrence. Rehabilitation

of compacted soil in harvest areas (off –road) is seldom an option because they are generally wet and additional

machine traffic will often cause more soil damage. Therefore, protection of soil is best achieved in choice of

equipment, staff training and advanced planning of operations. In terms of advanced planning, it is

recommended that a pre-harvest site assessment include the evaluation of soil drainage class across the harvest

area delineating sensitive areas with imperfectly and poorly drained soils. Management of field operations shall

involve operating on soils when they are as dry as possible. The weather and percentage of sensitive areas in

the harvest area shall be taken into account when scheduling areas for harvesting. Following a long dry period

in summer, the sensitive sites shall be scheduled accordingly.

GROUND RULES

Pre-harvest planning

9.1 Areas susceptible to rutting, puddling or compaction shall be avoided when planning temporary

roads, decks, landings and skidding patterns.

9.2 Areas susceptible to rutting, puddling or compaction shall be harvested during dry or frozen

conditions (when soil condition is not susceptible to degradation)

Harvesting

9.3 The total area covered by temporary roads, bared landing areas, and displaced soil created by

timber harvesting operations shall not exceed five percent of each harvest area without prior

approval of Alberta. Disturbance is measured using length x average width.

9.4 Operations shall not occur when soil conditions are above field capacity (saturated) (see Figure

1).

9.5 Minimize the machine traffic on sensitive areas, depending on soil susceptibility to disturbance

according to the results of a hand test (see Figure 1).

9.6 Operations shall cease when instances of multiple ruts in a limited area are created that are

clearly related to operations during unfavourable ground conditions.

9.7 Erosion and soil disturbance must be limited, with effort made to retain organic matter and soil

nutrients.

48


Post-harvest reclamation/reforestation

9.8 Site preparation creating linear disturbance patterns, shall be oriented to minimize channelling

of water downslope.

9.9 Roads within harvest areas that are no longer required shall be reclaimed and reforested.

Treatments (as agreed to by Alberta) are required on compacted soils.

Figure 1. Soil Moisture and Compaction Risk

Courtesy of Andrei Startsev, Alberta Research Council

Change in soil moisture and susceptibility to compaction and

rutting following rainfall

High risk of rutting

and/or compaction

Low risk of compaction Some risk of compaction

Mo

isture Field capacity

Saturation Soil moisture

Co

mp

action

Compaction

Ru

tting

Rutting

Rain Time following rain

49


10.0 FOREST HEALTH/ PROTECTION

10.1 INSECT AND DISEASE

PURPOSE

To minimize the risk of occurrence, and spread of insects and disease, which have the potential to impact

forest management objectives.

To prioritize the salvage of timber damaged by insects and disease.

DISCUSSION

The presence of insects and diseases are a symptom of an unhealthy forest. The impact of certain insects and

diseases shall be addressed when planning harvesting, silviculture operations, and surveys. Several biotic and

abiotic forest health agents affect the growth and survival of trees. Each agent poses a threat to the forest.

Priority for management shall be given to those agents that have the greatest impact or could potentially cause

the most damage by:

a) Increasing the wildfire hazard

b) Reduction or loss of merchantable volume

c) Detracting from landscape aesthetics

GROUND RULES

10.1.1 If insects or disease have been identified, harvest plans and operations shall be prioritized in

these stands. Variance from the SHS to address insect or disease issues may be acceptable if

approved by Alberta. Infected and infested stands shall be ranked based on the type and

intensity of insect and disease present, or the presence of dead trees. Stands or trees shall be

ranked for treatment where the disease or insect infestation poses an immediate threat to the forest

as follows:

Rank 1: Stands or trees with the presence of mountain pine beetles or spruce beetles.

Rank 2: Stands with a significant number of dead or dying trees resulting from fire, insects or

disease, and windthrow.

Rank 3: Stands infected with mistletoe, spruce budworm, forest tent caterpillar, root disease

(Tomentosis, Armillaria) or jack pine budworm.

Rank 4: Stands infected with needle cast, Western gall rust, root collar weevils, Atropellis or other

miscellaneous forest health agents.

10.1.2 Management tactics are based on the Forest Protection ranking as follows:

Rank 1 stands or trees: Control Measures must be undertaken before adult beetles take flight, either

through harvest or single tree treatment. Alberta and forest operators shall work co-operatively to

prevent spread through aggressive action.

Rank 2 stands: Shall be addressed through salvage planning process (see section 3.6, Salvage

Planning). Highly unpredictable spread therefore, salvage planning is initiated.

Rank 3 stands: To manage dwarf mistletoe operators shall:

- create a 20 m wide mistletoe-free zone adjacent to the harvest area, or

- create a 20 m wide non-host buffer beside the harvest area perimeter, or

- reforest the harvest area to a non-host species.

50


Any wildlife tree patches shall consist of non-pine species where possible. For other pests, contact

Alberta.

Rank 4 stands: Generally, no control is required for mature stands. Regenerated stands affected by

Western gall rust or root collar weevils may require site treatments. Contact Alberta.

10.1.3 Insect and disease assessment information shall be utilized in the CA. Where a CA is not

required, the assessment information will be used to develop the GDP. Where new infestations

are found, or for known infestations already sequenced through the SHS, they shall be

addressed in the FHP.

10.1.4 Any infestation of Rank 1 agents and all data must be reported to Alberta immediately.

10.1.5 Where dues relief is requested, mistletoe infected stands must be surveyed using an acceptable

rating system (e.g., Hawksworth system).

10.2 WEED MANAGEMENT

PURPOSE

To minimize the impact of non-native, prohibited noxious, and noxious weeds, in the Green Area.

DISCUSSION

The invasion of prohibited noxious and noxious weeds in the forested area of Alberta negatively affects the

integrity of the ecosystem. The invasive weeds alter natural processes and displace organisms that naturally

occur in the area.

Under Alberta statutes, the occupant (or owner if there is no occupant) must destroy all prohibitive noxious

weeds, control all noxious weeds and prevent the spread or scattering of nuisance seeds.

GROUND RULES

10.2.1 Forest operators shall follow Alberta’s requirements (Directive 2001-06) for weed management

in forestry operations.

51


11.0 ROADS

11.1 ROAD CLASSIFICATION

PURPOSE

To define a road classification system that provides guidelines to all forest operators and potentially all

resource users in the Ground Rule Zones.

DISCUSSION

As roads are one of the most significant components of forest harvesting operations, forest operators along with

Alberta shall co-ordinate and integrate road planning and construction plans with other resource operators. This

classification system will provide consistent working guidelines to be used in planning and operations to

facilitate integration. It is important to identify not only construction schedules but closure and reclamation

timelines as well. Long term planning of access roads is a significant tactic to address landscape access issues.

GROUND RULES

11.1.1 The operator shall utilize the classification system described in Table 3 during planning and

operations.

11.1.2 All roads, regardless of class, with a lifespan of greater than three years shall be built under the

authority of a DLO.


52

Table 7. Road Classification and Design Road

Description

and Tenure

Planning

Requirements

Layout1 Design and Construction

Descriptions1

Borrow Pits1 Timber Salvage1 Debris1

Erosion Control1

Right of Way

Clearing

Width

Road

Surface

Width Class 1

Primary

Permanent

All Weather

20+ Years

Identified in higher-

order plans, i.e., long term access plans.

Phased planning

approach shall be

followed.

DLO required.

Detailed design plan (see “guidelines”).

Centre line

marked. Side ribbons

required.

30-40 m

8 – 12 m Location

identified prior to construction

(EFR) or as per

submitted TFA.

As per TM

Regulations and EFR under DLO.

Total disposal.

Stripping and fine debris to be

retained for

erosion control by

spreading on cuts

and fills and any

other critical area.

Progressive reclamation

concurrent with construction. Cross drains and ditch blocks

dictated by slope and soil

conditions. Drainage water to

be diverted off the ROW in

as short a distance as

possible.

Class 2

Secondary

Permanent

All Weather or

Dry Weather

3 – 20 + years

Identified in higher-order plans, i.e., long

term access plans.

DLO required.

Detailed design plan: through route

selection process a

need for detail shall be assessed, i.e., need

for cross-sectional

profiles based on sensitive area

identification.

Centre line marked. Side

ribbons may

be required for DLO roads

and sensitive

sites.

20 – 30 m 5 – 10 m Location identified prior to

construction

(EFR) or as per submitted TFA.

As per TM Regulations and EFR

under DLO.

Total disposal. Stripping and fine

debris to be

retained for erosion control by

spreading on cuts

and fills and any other critical area.

Progressive reclamation concurrent with construction.

Cross drains and ditch blocks

dictated by slope and soil conditions. Drainage water to

be diverted off the ROW in

as short a distance as possible.

53


Table 3. Road Classification and Design (continued)

Road

Description and

Tenure

Planning

Requirements

Layout1 Design and

Construction

Descriptions1

Borrow Pits1 Timber

Salvage1

Debris1

Erosion Control1

Right of Way

Clearing

Width

Road

Surface

Class 3

Tertiary Permanent

Winter or Dry

Weather

Up to 20 Years

Phased planning

approach must be followed if road is to

be used for more

than five years.

DLO Required if >

than 3 years.

Centre line

marked. Side ribbons may be

required for DLO roads and

sensitive sites.

7 – 20 m

Larger

clearing widths may

be required

for safety, variable

width

topography, line of site,

and pullouts

as required. A TFA is

required for

clearing widths

exceeding

20m.

5-10 m

Location

identified prior to construction

(EFR) or as per submitted TFA if

outside ROW

As per TM

Regulations and EFR under DLO.

Total disposal.

Stripping and fine debris to be retained

for erosion control by spreading on cuts

and fills and any

other critical area.

Progressive reclamation

concurrent with construction. Cross drains and ditch blocks


be diverted off the ROW in as

short a distance as possible.

Class 4

Temporary

Winter or Dry

Conditions

Up to three Years

Details to be addressed in

development plans.

Approved under the

cover of an AOP.

Centre line marked.

As-built inside

harvest area road locations

submitted

annually as per Spatial Data

Directives.

Harvest area

access roads mapped.

7 - 20 m

5 – 10 m Location identified prior to

construction or as

per submitted TFA if outside

ROW.

As per FHP. Partial disposal. Mechanical or

manual cutting of

slash and debris to reduce fire hazard to

acceptable levels.

Progressive reclamation concurrent with construction.

Cross drains and ditch blocks


be diverted off the ROW in as

short a distance as possible.

1 For Department License of Occupation (DLO) roads, actual specifications and/or requirements may be different in approved Disposition document


54

Table 3A - Road Classification for the Caribou Area All other criteria from Table 3 apply to the roads in Table 3A

Road Description and

Tenure

Season Of Operation Clearing Width Road Surface Grade Description

Class 5

<3 years

Frozen Ground Maximum of 10m 6 to 8 meter maximum

Less than 8 m will require

pullouts.

No grade

Ground disturbance to be

minimized.

Class 4

<3 years

Dry or Frozen Ground Maximum of 15 m, with

variable allowance for *terrain

conditions to a maximum of

20 m. Any request to exceed

20m requires Alberta’s

approval.

6 to 8 meter maximum

Less than 8 m will require

pullouts.

Spot gravelling acceptable.

Blanket gravelling requires

Alberta’s approval.

Grade to be minimized.

0.5 meter maximum

Class 3

<3 years

Dry or Frozen Ground Maximum of 20 m, with

variable allowance for *terrain

conditions, to a maximum of

30 m. Any request to exceed

30m requires Alberta’s

approval.

6 to 8 meters maximum. Less

than 8 m will require pullouts.

Spot gravelling acceptable.

Blanket gravelling requires

Alberta’s approval.

Grade to be minimized.

Maximum 1.0 meter;

depending on site specific

*terrain conditions.

*This table is not precluding the building of higher grade roads within the Caribou Zone. However, higher grade roads will only be approved by Alberta when they

have been identified through an access planning process acceptable to Alberta.

*Terrain conditions are comprised of short steep slopes and potentially corners.


55

11.2 ROAD PLANNING AND DESIGN

PURPOSE

To outline the plan to construct, maintain and reclaim roads.

DISCUSSION

The impacts of roads can be long-term, it is therefore important that the initial placement of roads be carefully

examined. Resource values shall be assessed during the process in order to best mitigate impacts or enhance

benefits associated with those values. Existing access (e.g., seismic lines, trails, existing roads), as a

priority, has been used wherever practical and feasible.

Long term road corridor plans shall be developed in the FMP that meet the requirements of Phase 1 corridor

plans as identified below in section 11.2.2. All long term road corridor plans must follow direction of approved

higher level access plans. All road construction, maintenance and reclamation shall be directed by strategies

outlined in the FMP.

The submission of road plans will assist Alberta to facilitate the integration of access management among all

resource users (e.g., oil and gas industry). Road plans shall forecast corridor development linking all

compartments and other industrial developments.

Safety needs to be addressed throughout the road planning process.

GROUND RULES

11.2.1 Long-Term Roads (Class 1, 2, 3)

Road Planning

11.2.1.1 Forest operators shall annually submit a road corridor plan and construction schedule

in the GDP. Proposed variances from the FMP long-term corridor plan require

Alberta’s approval. The minimum scope of the road construction schedule shall be a

five-year forecast with the content requirements being:

Map showing:

Existing forest operator roads by class

Other existing roads if the digital information is available

Proposed forest operator corridors, including corridors approved in the FHP

Access control points – See section 11.5 Access Control

Tables describing proposed road targets, current status and completed activities (examples below).

Proposed Road Schedule

Comp./

Ops. Area

Road

Identifier

Phase 1

Submission

Phase 1

Approval

Phase 2

Submission

Phase 2

Approval

Phase 3

Construction

Tenure

Current Road Status

Comp./

Ops. Area

DLO

Number

Road

Class

Status Length Crossings Access

Control

Tenure

Completed Road Activity (for previous year)

Comp./ DLO Activity Date Comments

56


Ops. Area Number

11.2.2 Phased Planning Process

Phase 1: Corridor Planning

11.2.2.1 The corridor planning process may commence at any time during the year provided that the

corridor has been identified in the road plan and dialogue with Alberta has been initiated.

11.2.2.2 The Phase 1 corridor plan for new road proposals requires the forest operator to work

with Alberta to:

a) Identify the corridor and potential alternatives

b) Identify other overlapping industrial users and work towards an integrated

access/corridor strategy

c) Rationalize the corridor based on timber considerations, i.e., summer vs. winter

access

d) Highlight potential impacts on other forest resources, such as:

Watercourses

Fish & Wildlife Habitat

Grazing dispositions

Soils

Trappers

Protected areas

Recreation areas

e) Identify measures designed to mitigate impacts, e.g., timing constraints during

construction and access control requirements.

11.2.2.3 The corridor plan shall be submitted prior to road construction in a time frame

acceptable to Alberta.

11.2.2.4 Forest operators with overlapping tenures shall consult each other to ensure consistency

in their corridor planning.

11.2.2.5 Forest operators shall advise other industrial operators of their road plans and strive to

integrate road access with those operators.

11.2.2.6 Corridor plans shall follow the direction in strategic land use plans and policies.

11.2.2.7 The review and approval process is as follows:

a) Two months for review by Alberta –comments back to the forest operator.

b) Forest operators shall address any concerns prior to resubmission.

c) Alberta shall approve within one month of final submission, provided no

deficiencies exist.

d) Alberta may identify in the approval additional requirements to be submitted

with Phase 2, based on site sensitivity.

11.2.2.8 Exceptions to this process may arise (e.g., a salvage scenario). A written proposed

action plan to vary from the indicated timelines must be submitted by the forest

operator documenting the reasons for the modified review and approval process. Both

the forest operator and Alberta recognize that time may be of the essence.

Phase 2: Detailed Planning

11.2.2.9 In order to reduce submissions and avoid duplication, Phase 2 shall consist of the DLO

application process on the Phase 1 corridor.

57


Phase 3: Construction

11.2.2.10 Road construction shall be carried out as per Table 3 as well as conditions specified in

the letter of authority for the DLO.

11.2.2.11 Upon request by Alberta, the road centre-line, as-built, in a format acceptable to

Alberta, shall be submitted to Alberta by the forest operator within 90 days of

construction.

11.2.3 Temporary Roads: Class 4 (with lifespans up to three years from start of construction).

11.2.3.1 These roads shall be built as per the approved AOP. Only roads with FHP approvals

shall be included in the AOP submission. Upon request, as-built road plans shall be

submitted to Alberta by the forest operator in a format acceptable to Alberta, within 90

days of construction. See section 7.7.1 for timing requirements for reclamation of

temporary roads.

11.2.3.2 The forest operator shall submit a table tracking the status of all non DLO roads over

two years old until they are totally reclaimed. The reclamation shall be done as soon as

timber operations are complete or within three years of construction.

58


11.3 ROAD CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND RECLAMATION

PURPOSE

The roads shall be constructed, maintained and reclaimed in a timely manner to minimize environmental

impacts.

GROUND RULES

11.3.1 General

11.3.1.1 Existing access (e.g., seismic lines, trails, existing roads), shall be used as a priority

wherever practical and feasible.

11.3.1.2 Road ROWs shall be cleared according to standards established in Table 3, road

comments, and any additional conditions approved in the FHP.

11.3.1.3 Roads and landings shall be constructed to avoid:

a) Unstable soils, water source areas, springs and seepage areas.

b) Creating disturbed, compacted or bared soils that exceed the amount specified in

section 9.3

11.3.1.4 Temporary road construction activities that are required outside an approved ROW

can be considered incidental to construction and will be approved as part of the AOP provided

the following is met:

a) Be immediately adjacent to AOP approved disposition (temporary road and

associated ROW only);

b) Be reclaimed or reforested in the same fashion as the adjacent AOP approved

disposition (if applicable);

c) Be without conflict of existing dispositions and/or adjacent land uses; and

d) Be an activity type and within the parameters as described below:

Log Decks, Decking and Chipping Areas:

i. ≤ 0.18 hectares in size;

ii. Located on average ≥400 metres apart

Bank Stabilization:

i. Related to hill cuts impacted during construction;

Push Outs:

i. ≤0.04 hectares in size;

ii. Located on average ≥800 metres apart. Where this distance is not

feasible due to operational constraints, line of sight between push

outs should be minimized.


59

11.3.2 Construction

11.3.2.1 Roads, skid trails and landings shall be placed in locations and constructed so that soil

erosion, damage to streambeds and sedimentation of watercourses are minimized.

11.3.2.2 On those parts of the ROW not used for grade construction, disturbance to the duff and

organic soil shall be minimized to reduce damage to the roots of bordering trees and to

provide a protective soil cover.

11.3.2.3 Trees with root systems seriously damaged by road construction activities may be

removed from the edge of a road cut.

11.3.2.4 The fill required for road construction shall be taken from the ROW when feasible.

11.3.2.5 All borrow pits required off the ROW must be authorized by Alberta or an appropriate

land use disposition before they are developed.

11.3.2.6 All sand and gravel pits off the ROW must be authorized under an appropriate

disposition.

11.3.2.7 Removal of sand and gravel from within the channel or floodplain of any watercourse is

prohibited.

11.3.2.8 Active long-term roads shall be properly maintained to reduce wheel or track ruts, and

to minimize watercourse sedimentation from erosion and traffic during adverse

weather.

11.3.3 Erosion Control/Prevention

11.3.3.1 Erosion control shall be implemented as per Table 3.

11.3.3.2 Initial erosion control measures shall be concurrent with grade construction.

11.3.3.3 Constructed roads require erosion control and stabilization of disturbed soils.

11.3.3.4 Ditches shall be constructed to the same gradient as the road and shall be deep enough

to drain the sub-grade, unless limited by topography. Ditch back slopes shall have a

regular profile from the top of the cut to the bottom with no hanging banks or vertical

cuts.

11.3.3.5 Water from roads, ditches and bared soil surfaces shall not be permitted to drain

directly into watercourses. Where vegetated buffers alone do not retard water and

sediment movement effectively, appropriate obstructions (e.g., logs, rocks, mounds) or

sediment control structures shall be installed to dissipate the flow of water and capture

sediment prior to entering he watercourse.

11.3.3.6 Cross-drainage culverts and other drainage devices shall be installed as road sub-grade

construction progresses. Cross-drainage structures shall:

a) Reduce water movement along ditches

b) Divert water from the ROW into the surrounding vegetation directly as

possible

c) Provide cross movement for water from seeps and springs

d) Be installed with adequate spillways or downspouts where they drain onto

unstable or bare soil.

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11.3.3.7 Re-vegetation, if required, shall be completed concurrent with operations or as soon as

soil conditions permit during the following growing period. Existing ditch vegetation

shall be protected during road maintenance wherever possible and re-established where

necessary.

11.3.3.8 A portion of the debris from clearing, and strippings from road and landing

construction shall be retained and used for re-vegetation and erosion control on

disturbed areas.

11.3.4 Reclamation

11.3.4.1 Roads not under DLO that are no longer required shall be reclaimed, have crossings

removed, and their condition monitored until they are considered satisfactorily

stabilized.

11.3.4.2 Certified weed free seed shall be used when seeding is used for reclamation.

11.3.4.3 Roads under DLO that are no longer required shall be reclaimed, and require a Letter

of Clearance.

11.3.4.4 Borrow and gravel pits no longer required must be reclaimed (re-contoured to stable

slopes and re-vegetated). Borrow and gravel pits held under a Disposition require a

Reclamation Certificate.

Seasonal Reclamation

11.3.4.5 Certain roads that are not used continuously throughout the year may require

intermediate erosion control measures such as:

a) Shallow surface cross ditches based on slope and soil type

b) Re-established drainage

c) Slope Stabilization

d) Rut-free driving surface establishment

e) Access control measures

Partial Reclamation

11.3.4.6 Roads that are not immediately required but necessary for future operations shall be

reclaimed to the following standards unless otherwise approved in the AOP.

a) Watercourse crossing and drainage structures that have a high risk of erosion

or failure are removed, and stream banks and approaches reclaimed

b) All potentially erodible slopes are stabilized through rollback, seeded to

approved vegetation species, and cross-ditched to disperse runoff and

suspended sediment into undisturbed areas.

c) Access closure structures are installed where required.

Total Reclamation

11.3.4.7 Roads and associated bared areas that are no longer required shall be permanently

reclaimed by completing all of the following:

a) Scarifying and returning them to an acceptable landform;

b) Removing all watercourse crossing and drainage structures and reclaiming

stream banks and approaches;

c) Cross-ditching, rolling back topsoil (including slash and logging debris) and re-

vegetating erodible bared surface areas;

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d) Reforesting disturbed areas inside harvest areas and where mutually agreed to,

outside of the harvest area; and

e) Establishing access closures where required.

11.3.4.7.1 Total reclamation may occur in a manner that permits OHV (off-highway

vehicle) use during silviculture activities by creating an undefined debris-free

trail. Watercourse crossings must still adhere to conditions in 11.4.1.

11.4 WATERCOURSE CROSSINGS

PURPOSE

To provide guidance so that crossings are constructed, maintained and reclaimed in a manner that

ensures negative environmental impacts are minimized and fish and fish habitat are protected.

DISCUSSION

It is important to implement watercourse crossings of acceptable standards to meet the needs of all users. Of

primary importance is protection of the aquatic environment. It is intended that water quality, fish passage,

bank stability and aquatic fauna habitat are not compromised during watercourse crossing construction,

maintenance and reclamation.

The planning of watercourse crossings must consider tenure, user integration, timing constraints, existing plans

and assessments, and pertinent policy and legislation. Watercourse crossings shall be designed, installed,

maintained and deactivated in accordance with all applicable policy and legislation. See Section 7.6.1 and

7.6.2 for additional information on the implications of the Federal Fisheries Act.

GROUND RULES

11.4.1 The company shall require approval for any crossing structure not listed in Table 4 for the

appropriate watercourse type.

Table 8. Acceptable Crossing Structures

Stream Classification Acceptable Structure

Non-Frozen Frozen

Ephemeral Modified Log Fill Modified Log Fill

Log Fill Log Fill

Culvert Snow Fill

Bridge Culvert

Temporary Machine Crossing Bridge

Temporary Machine Crossing

Intermittent Modified Log Fill Modified Log Fill

Log Fill Log Fill

Culvert Snow Fill

Bridge Culvert

Temporary Machine Crossing Bridge

Temporary Machine Crossing

Transitional Small

Permanent

Modified Log Fill Modified Log Fill

Culvert Log Fill

Bridge Snow Fill

Culvert

Bridge

Small Permanent Modified Log Fill Modified Log Fill

Culvert Log Fill

Bridge Snow Fill

Culvert

Bridge

Large Permanent Bridge Bridge

Ice Bridge

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Unless previously identified in the AOP, notification of crossing type to Alberta is required on the first

operations report after installation. Any change within a category only requires notification to Alberta.

Modified log fill can be used on streams less than 1.5 m wide. It consists of a pipe supported by logs and

constructed as defined in 11.4.18.

Bridge can refer to a Native Timber Bridge or a steel span structure.

11.4.2 Unless otherwise approved, watercourse crossings shall:

a) Minimize erosion and prevent sedimentation;

b) Have stable approaches;

c) Be at right angles to the watercourse;

d) Be at locations where the channels are well defined, unobstructed and straight;

e) Be at a narrow point along the watercourse;

f) Allow room for direct gentle approaches;

g) Have no direct ditch drainage;

h) Shall have erosion control structures during construction; and

i) Maintain fish passage.

11.4.3 Watercourse crossings shall accommodate peak stream flows at the following levels as measured

using a method acceptable to Alberta:

a) Long-term roads (Class 1 – 3) – shall be designed for a minimum of 1: 50 year flood

levels; and

b) Temporary roads (Class 4) – shall be designed for a minimum of 1:25 year flood levels

with the exception of temporary winter crossings that are removed before break-up.

11.4.4 On approaches to watercourse crossings, the organic soil layer and lesser vegetation shall not be

stripped from portions of the ROW not needed for the road grade.

11.4.5 Any in-stream activities shall be scheduled to avoid migration, spawning and incubation periods

of migratory or resident fish species (restricted activity periods). Mitigative measures approved

by Alberta may allow for deviations from the in-stream timing constraints.

11.4.6 Fish passage for migratory or resident species must be maintained at all watercourse crossings

on fish-bearing waterbodies.

11.4.7 The flow of the watercourse must be maintained at all times when carrying out in-stream

activities, unless otherwise approved under the Water Act.

11.4.8 Measures must be implemented to minimize the duration and amount of disturbance of the bed

and banks of the watercourse or waterbody. Where damage to the bed and banks of a

watercourse occur, appropriate measures to restore the bed and banks must be undertaken.

11.4.9 During timber operations measures must be implemented to prevent the deposition of soil,

logging debris or other deleterious substances and materials that are toxic, or an immediate

threat to fish and other aquatic organisms into any watercourse. Any such substances or

materials unavoidably deposited in a watercourse must be removed immediately and reported to

Alberta.

11.4.10 Measures must be implemented to prevent the transfer of biota that are not indigenous to the

environment at the watercourse-crossing site.

11.4.11 Stream crossings shall be kept free of accumulated debris. Culverts plugged with ice shall be

reopened to prevent flooding during spring thaw.

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11.4.12 Interim erosion control measures (e.g., silt fences, matting, or gravel check dams) must be

implemented and maintained until permanent vegetation and erosion control measures are

established where necessary.

11.4.13 Stream crossings that fail shall be reclaimed or replaced (if necessary) with more appropriate

crossing structures as soon as possible.

11.4.14 Bridge abutments shall not constrict the normal stream channel. Where stream banks must be

built up to construct a bridge abutment, soil shall be brought in and deposited from the end of

the grade – no equipment shall enter the stream channel. Bridge spans must extend beyond

stream banks and abutment walls.

11.4.15 The use of bridges is preferred on fish-bearing streams; however, steel culverts may be

permitted where they will not restrict passage of fish. (see table 4 for more information on

watercourse crossings).

11.4.16 Culverts for all classes of streams must be designed properly; sized and installed to prevent

erosion at both the inflow and outflow ends of the structure. Culverts shall be of sufficient length

beyond the fill with the overburden properly back sloped and stabilized to prevent sediment

from entering the watercourse, and the ends of the culvert open at all times. Any culvert that

becomes a hanging culvert must be correctly re-installed as soon as possible.

11.4.17 As soon as the temporary road is completely reclaimed, logfills shall be removed so that no soil

can enter the water channel. Unless otherwise approved by Alberta, logfills installed during

frozen periods on intermittent watercourses shall be removed before the spring thaw. Unless

otherwise directed by Alberta, a bottom layer of logs may be left in place when removing the

logfill to provide for summer crossing of ephemeral watercourses.

11.4.18 A properly constructed logfill/modified logfill has all of the following:

a) Enough logs to adequately fill an ephemeral draw or watercourse channel so that when

the logs are removed there is little or no damage to the banks or channel bottom;

b) Logs delimbed and bucked to at least 1.5 m longer than the grade fill at each end;

c) Where a soil cap is required, the logs shall be covered by a layer of suitable material

that separates the soil from the logs, which shall permit total removal of the soil cap;

d) Provisions for removal that do not disturb the banks or watercourse.

11.4.19 A properly constructed temporary machine crossing avoids disturbance to watercourse

channels, minimizes bank disturbance, does not impede natural water flow, prevents deposition

of debris, soil and slash and includes the following:

a) Crossing is not associated with or on a road;

b) Tree stems or logs are placed parallel to the channel no closer than the thickness of the

stem used;

c) Width does not exceed 1.5 times the width of the machine using the crossing;

d) Provisions for removal that do not disturb the banks or introduce sediment to the

watercourse;

11.4.20 In fish-bearing watercourses, any negative impacts on the stability and fish habitat values of

stream banks must be minimized. Any damage to streambanks and the corrective measures

taken by the company shall be reported to Alberta within 7 days of the occurrence.

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11.4.21 A native timber bridge may be used on small permanent or intermittent streams or ephemeral

draws, provided that all of these requirements are met:

a) Bridge abutments do not restrict stream channel;

b) A brow log is installed on both sides of the bridge deck to prevent soil from entering the

stream;

c) No equipment enters the stream channel;

d) Timber of suitable size and strength is available for construction;

e) The span extends beyond stream bank and abutment walls;

f) A separation layer is used between soil cap and timber;

g) The remainder of the structure is removed as soon as harvest and hauling operations

are completed unless a proposal to leave crossing structures in place after hauling is

approved by Alberta and an acceptable monitoring program is in place.

11.4.22 Snow-fills may be used as per Table 4provided that all of the following requirements are met:

a) Sufficient snow exists to fill creek channel;

b) Any soil cap installed over the snow is removed prior to break-up;

c) Measures are in place to prevent soil or other debris from entering stream channel or

ice surface;

d) Suitable measures are taken during deactivation to ensure flow is not impeded.

11.4.23 Ice bridges may be used provided that all of the following requirements are met:

a) No capping material is used on the bridge;

b) Winter stream flows are not impeded;

c) Approaches of snow and ice constructed of sufficient thickness to protect the stream

bank;

d) Appropriate ice thickness exists to bear necessary load requirements; and

e) No alterations to streambed or bank are required

11.4.24 Each operator shall establish a monitoring program acceptable to Alberta, for their watercourse

crossings. Documentation as to current condition, repair requirements, or removal dates of the

crossing structures must be maintained and made available to Alberta upon request.

11.4.25 Watercourse crossings that are no longer required shall be reclaimed with the objective of

minimizing any sediment from entering the watercourse. The crossing must be satisfactorily

stabilized and suitable measures in place to minimize the risk of erosion.

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11.5 ACCESS CONTROL

PURPOSE

To manage existing and proposed surface access recognizing key resource values.

DISCUSSION

The impacts of roads on resource values may require mitigation through access control measures. Wildlife,

sensitive areas (i.e., historical sites, soils), protection of road quality and safety are reasons for implementing

access control. A number of strategies and tactics are available for controlling or restricting access.

Access control measures for long-term roads shall be identified through the submission and review of the

phased planning process. For temporary roads, the CA or GDP, and FHP shall be the mechanisms used in

identifying access control requirements.

The following list of access control methods identifies a number of options that may be implemented:

Physical Barriers (e.g., gates; barricades, pilings)

Road Condition (e.g., berms, ditches, road standard, roll-back, no snow removal)

Regulatory (e.g., sanctuaries, timing restrictions, signage)

GROUND RULES

11.5.1 Where access control has been identified as an objective in strategic land use plans, DFMP, or

Access Management Plan, Alberta shall consult with the forest operator to determine an access

control strategy. In the event that a strategic land use plan has not been developed, the FHP

shall describe specific access control measures identified in the GDP or FMP (see section 3.4).

11.5.2 In designated areas, Alberta may direct forest operators to restrict road access during specified

periods, implemented in accordance with Alberta policy. Restricted access issues shall be dealt

with differently depending on whether the road is new access or is existing access. All closures

of existing access must be submitted to the Minister or his authorized delegate for approval

whereas new access shall have the terms defined in the approval of the disposition.

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11.6 CAMPS AND FACILITIES

PURPOSE

To give guidance to forest operators so that the planning, construction, maintenance and reclamation of

camps and miscellaneous facilities is done in a manner that minimizes negative impacts on the forest

environment.

DISCUSSION

Camps and other facilities are often a necessary part of operations in remote areas. Forest operators require that

such facilities operate in an efficient and cost-effective manner and are implemented without compromising the

integrity of the environment.

Some of the best practices for camps and facilities include:

Place sites out of visual and auditory range from mineral licks and key wildlife areas or use a default

of one kilometre;

Safe camp locations are a priority. Therefore, an evaluation of all potential risks shall be conducted

prior to selecting a final camp location;

Camps and fuel storage sites shall be identified in the annual fire control plan when proposed locations

are known;

Camps shall be kept clean. Proper mechanisms for the disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste

shall be implemented.

Temporary fuel storage sites shall not be located within 100 m of any flowing watercourse.

Camp food and garbage storage shall minimize the potential for problems with wildlife.

Camps and facilities should follow the Bear-Human Conflict Management Plan for Camps available

on the Alberta Environment and Parks website.

Problems with wildlife shall be dealt with in consultation with Alberta.

GROUND RULES

11.6.1 Any facility or camp that shall be in place for more than twelve consecutive months requires an

appropriate disposition under the Public Lands Act. Temporary field authorities (TFAs) are

required for camps to be in place less than twelve consecutive months.

11.6.2 Any facility or camp must adhere to all provincial regulations related to the camp (ie. Public

Health Act – Work Camp Regulation.).

11.6.3 Where feasible, forest operators shall establish temporary camps and/or other facilities within

either new harvest areas or existing clearings (ie. Gravel and borrow pits).

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12.0 REPORTING

PURPOSE

To ensure that timber operation activities are reported to Alberta in order to maintain an accurate and

current database across the Province.

DISCUSSION

Silviculture and harvest operations reporting and monitoring is necessary to ensure legislated requirements are

met in all treatment areas. Ground rules governing operations reporting are required to ensure consistency

among forest operators. The intent of activity reporting is to communicate that a given activity has occurred,

where it occurred and when it occurred. This information shall also be used for annual and stewardship reports

and shall be RFP validated.

GROUND RULES

SILVICULTURE AND HARVEST ACTIVITY REPORTING

12.0.1 Alberta may require additional reporting for forest management activities such as thinning,

herbicide, pesticide spraying, or fertilization. Alberta shall consult with the company on the

appropriate format of such reports. Reporting of herbicide projects are as per Alberta

requirements.

12.0.2 Companies harvesting more than 30,000 m3/year shall have self-inspection agreements in place

and shall carry out periodic inspections of active timber operations and report the information

to Alberta in a format acceptable to Alberta. Reports based on the 2006-04 directive shall be

submitted to Alberta once per month or at agreed to intervals. As built harvest area maps shall

be submitted to Alberta at an agreed upon time or by September 1 each year showing all harvest

areas from the previous year’s operations.

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Appendix 1- Glossary Alberta Vegetation

Inventory (AVI)

An inventory of vegetation and forest stands including non vegetated areas.

Analysis A detailed examination of a body of data, a series of decisions, or the implications of one or

more policies, and a determination of what this examination reveals about the nature,

function and/or relationships in effect.

Annual allowable cut

(AAC)

The volume of timber that can be harvested under sustained-yield management in any one

year, as stipulated in the pertinent approved forest management plan. In Alberta it is the

quadrant cut divided by the number of years in that quadrant, usually five.

Annual Operating Plan

(AOP)

A plan prepared and submitted by the forest operator each year, which provides the

authorization to harvest. An AOP is a requirement of the Timber Management Regulation.

(See section B 1.4)

Approval Issued by Alberta. Approval Decision is prepared outlining significant items considered in

plan approval and outlining conditions to be met within specified time periods by the

Organization or a decision made by Alberta on an AOP.

Approval Review

Committee

Committee comprised of senior Alberta staff that provides recommendations to the

Executive Director of Forest Management Branch regarding DFMPs.

A-spatial Proxy A non-spatial representation of a forest management activity that has real elements of space

and time.

Assumptions A judgmental decision made by a planner or decision maker that supplies missing values,

relationships, or societal preferences for some informational component necessary for

making a decision

Audit An official examination and verification of records, activities, accounts, actions, operations,

etc., against stated standards of performance and compliance.

Bared soil Any soil where the organic layers and vegetation have been removed.

Barriers to fire spread Those biophysical landscape features that either do not burn, or at certain times of the fire

season are “fire resistant.” Some of the features that do not burn include water, rock,

cultivated fields, and improved roads (with a grade). (Stegehuis)

Biological diversity

(biodiversity)

The variety, distribution and abundance of different plants, animals and microorganisms, the

ecological functions and processes they perform, and the genetic diversity they contain at

local, regional or landscape levels of analysis. Biodiversity has five principal components:

(1) genetic diversity (the genetic complement of all living things); (2) taxonomic diversity

(the variety of organisms); (3) ecosystem diversity (the three-dimensional structures on the

earth’s surface, including the organisms themselves); (4) functions or ecological services

(what organisms and ecosystems do for each other, their immediate surroundings and for the

ecosphere as a whole, i.e. processes and connectedness through time and space); and (5) the

abiotic matrix within which the above exists, with each being interdependent on the

continued existence of the other. [Dunster]

Borrow pit A small quarry or excavation, which provides material for use in the construction project.

[Revised from Dunster]

Buck To cut a felled or downed tree into shorter lengths.

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Buffer Used in several contexts. 1 In protecting critical nesting habitat areas, the buffer is an area of

forest land that reduces the impacts of adjacent activities on the critical area. The dangers

associated with adjacent disturbances might include wind-throw or wind damage to nest

trees and young birds in the nest, increased predation and loss of interior forest conditions. 2

A strip of land between two areas under different management regimes. Pesticide buffer

zones are used to limit the possible drift, run-off or leachate of pesticide from a site into

other areas, such as waterbodies or creeks. Streamside buffers are used to limit the effects of

logging on creeks, such as siltation, loss of shading, loss of nutrient inputs from trees and

degradation of riparian zones. The size and composition of the buffer zone depends on its

intended function. 3 An area maintained around a sample or experimental plot to ensure that

the latter is not affected by any treatment applied to the area beyond the buffer. 4 In GIS

work, a new polygon computed on distance from a point, line or existing polygon. 5 In

managing biosphere reserves, an area or edge of a protected area. Examples of compatible

activities might include tourism, forestry, agroforestry, etc. The objective of the buffer zone

is to provide added protection for the core reserve area. [Dunster]

Clearcutting A regeneration system where all or most of the merchantable trees in a defined area are

harvested in one cutting with reproduction obtained through artificial or natural means.

Coarse filter

management

Conservation of land areas and representative habitats with the assumption that the needs of

all associated species, communities, environments and ecological processes will be met.

[Dunster]

College The College of Alberta Professional Foresters (CAPF) or the College of Alberta

Professional Forest Technologists (CAPFT).

Commercial Thinning A partial cut where trees of a merchantable size and value are removed to provide an interim

harvest while maintaining a high rate of growth on the remaining, well-spaced, final crop

trees. Used to capture volume likely to succumb to competition pressures and be lost to

disease, insect, or dieback.

Commercial timber

permit (CTP)

A timber disposition issued under Section 22 of the Forests Act authorizing the permittee to

harvest public timber.

Compaction A transfer of wheel pressure to soils causing collapse of large air-filled pores, a type of

disturbance when tire imprint is often invisible under the duff layer. Soil susceptibility to

compaction is maximal when soil is at field capacity, which can be detected by stability of

hand cast. Most of soil compaction occurs during the first passes of equipment because soil

gains strength with each additional pass.

Compartment A subsection of an FMA for which operational plans are developed.

Connectivity A measure of how well different areas (patches or a landscape are connected by linkages,

such as habitat patches, single or multiple corridors, or”stepping stones” of like vegetation.

The extent to which conditions among late successional/climax forest areas provide habitat

for breeding, feeding, dispersal and movement of late successional - or climax-dependent

wildlife or fish species. Natural landscapes often tend to be better connected than those that

have been heavily influenced and disturbed by human activities. Consequently, there is a

body of opinion that the best way to avoid fragmentation of landscapes is to maintain, or re-

establish, a network of landscape linkages. At a landscape level, the connectivity of

ecosystem functions and processes is of equal importance to the connectivity of habitats.

[Dunster]

Constraints The restriction, limiting, or regulation of an activity, quality or state of being to a

predetermined or prescribed course of action or inaction. Constraints can be a result of

policies or political will; management direction, attitudes and perceptions; or budget, time

personnel and data availability limitations; or, more typically, a complex interaction of all

these factors. [Dunster]

Corrective Actions May include one or more of the following:

- Direct that the work be corrected and re-submitted;

- Carry-out an appropriate enforcement response;

- Refer the matter to the Complaints Director of the appropriate College to investigate the

complaint.

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Corridor 1 A physical linkage connecting two areas of habitat and differing from the habitat on either

side. Corridors are used by organisms to move around without having to leave the preferred

habitat. A linear habitat patch through which a species must travel to reach habitat more

suitable for reproduction and other life sustaining needs. Many corridors, linking several

patches of habitat, form a network of habitats. The functional effectiveness of corridors

depends on the type of species, the type of movement, the strength of the edge effects and

its shape. 2 An area of uniform width bordering both or one side of a lineal feature, such as

a stream or route. [Dunster]

Cross-drainage structures Culverts or other drainage structures that permit water to move from one side of a road to

the other, normally under the road grade.

Culmination age The age at which the stand, for the stated diameter limit and utilization standard, achieves its

maximum average rate of volume production (the Mean Annual Increment, or MAI is

maximized.

Deactivation Taking a road out of active use through implementation of erosion control measures,

roadblocks and/or other methods.

Deciduous timber

allocation (DTA)

A quota of deciduous timber.

Delegated Authority The Government of Alberta personnel located at the Regional or Area level charged with

supervision of all forest management activities in a defined Region or Area. It can also mean

someone who is authorized to approve an AOP.

Deleterious material Section 34(1) of the Fisheries Act defines “deleterious substance” as:

(a) any substance that, if added to water, would degrade or alter or form part of a process of

degradation or alteration of the quality of that water so that it is rendered or is likely to be

rendered deleterious to fish or fish habitat or to the use by man of fish that frequent that

water, or

(b) any water that contains a substance in such quantity or concentration, or that has been so

treated, processed or changed, by heat or other means, from a natural state that it would, if

added to any other water, degrade or alter or form part of a process of degradation or

alteration of the quality of that water so that it is rendered or is likely to be rendered

deleterious to fish or fish habitat or to the use by man of fish that frequent that water.

Department Licence of

Occupation (DLO)

A disposition issued by Alberta authorizing occupation of a linear corridor, often for an

access road.

Desired Future Forest A spatially explicit projected range of conditions of the forest landscape 100+ years into the

future. The range of forest conditions defines the goal towards which forest management

will be directed. It is our best guess today on the arrangement of forest age classes, roads

and habitats that will provide for a set of objectives and desired outcomes that have been

identified for the area.

Detailed forest

management plan

(DFMP)

A long-term plan used to outline higher-level management objectives, sustainability and

timber production assumptions for a Forest Management Agreement (FMA).

Displaced soil Mixed mineral, surface and sub-surface horizons that have been deposited off the road or

disturbed surface to a depth of 15 cm or greater.

Disturbance patterns The spatial and temporal arrangement of disturbances.

Ditch blocks Barriers constructed across ditches to retard water flow, to redirect water from the ditch or

to form a small catch basin.

Downed woody debris Woody material >1cm in diameter, stumps and snags < 1.3 m tall and dead trees leaning

>45 degrees. The woody material left on site after logging including both pre-existing and

harvest-generated material (downed boles, limbs, tops and stumps). Includes highly

decomposed and vegetated material as long as it is recognizable as woody.

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Due Diligence - taking and documenting steps to ensure that the desired outcome is achieved or that

the chances of a negative consequence or outcome is minimized.

- ensuring completeness, correctness, consistency and repeatability.

- demonstrating how conclusions were reached.

- using mechanisms, such as but not limited to checklists and standard operating procedures,

to demonstrate that appropriate procedures were followed and to ensure that no relevant

steps or considerations were missed.

- keeping and maintaining appropriate files and filing systems as well as document retention

policies and practices.

Duff layer The organic horizons of the soil profile (LFH). Commonly referred to as the forest floor.

Ecological integrity The quality of a natural, unmanaged or managed ecosystem in which the natural ecological

processes are sustained, with genetic, species and ecosystem diversity assured for the future.

[Dunster]

Embedded operators Includes quota holders, permittees and other industrial operators with dispositions located

within a Forest Management Agreement Area.

Enhanced Forest

Management (EFM)

Enhanced forest management is defined as improvements in growth projections that result

from thinning, fertilizing, tree improvement or drainage.

Environmental field

report (EFR)

A document that must be submitted for most green area disposition applications as required

under the Public Lands Act. The disposition applicant completes the EFR, which includes

details on construction practices and environmental issues, and contains operating

conditions that apply to the approved disposition. The EFR forms part of the approval for

the Public Lands Act disposition.

Even-aged stands A stand of trees in which the age differences among trees are small, usually less than 10 to

20 years, or 30% of the rotation age in stands more than 100 years old. Even-aged stands

result from disturbances occurring at one point in time, such as wildfires, a clearcut, a seed

tree cut, or a shelterwood cut or coppicing. [Dunster]

Features The features represented on a map which describe the physical aspects of the harvest design.

E.g. harvest area boundaries, roads, buffers, wildlife habitat.

Fire hazard evaluation A conversion of forest inventory classifications to fire behaviour prediction fuel typing

(AVI2FBP), crown fire threshold modeling (CROSUM) and determination of head fire

intensity percentiles (spring, summer and fall).

Fire risk occurrence Location of person-caused and lightning fires in relation to the fire hazard evaluation. It is

used to represent “fire danger” in a spatial context.

FireSmart Community

Zone

A standard 10 kilometre radius around the community extending from the Wildland Urban

Interface Zone. A unique data set will be gathered for this zone for community protection

planning to provide a fundamental linkage between FireSmart Communities and FireSmart

Landscapes

FireSmart Landscape

Zone

This zone extends beyond the FireSmart Community Zone overlapping multiple

jurisdictions at a broad landscape level. This zone focuses on mitigating the likelihood of

large, high intensity, high severity fires. Fire, Forest and Land Management planning are

integrated and designed to reduce the negative ecological, economic and social impacts of

wildfire while maximizing the positive attributes of wildfire.

FireSmart Landscapes The philosophy that seeks to mitigate the likelihood of large, high intensity and high

severity fires. FireSmart landscapes are designed to recognize the interaction between

ecological, economic and social impacts, hence maximize the positive ecological impacts

and minimize the negative economic and social impacts.

Floodplains Flat land bordering a stream or river onto which a flood will spread. The underlying

materials are typically unconsolidated and derived from past stream transportation activity.

The extent of the floodplain varies according to the volume of water, and its 50-year-old

floodplain would be defined by the largest flood that would, on average, occur once within a

50-year-period, estimated from historic stream flow records. [Dunster]

Forest Health A condition of the forest; a forest is considered healthy if it can sustain itself to meet the

specific forest land management objectives of today or in the future.

Forest Management

Agreement (FMA)

A contract between the province of Alberta and the FMA holder whereby the province

provides an area-based Crown timber supply. In return, the FMA holder commits to the

following:

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Managing the timber resource on a perpetual sustained yield basis, taking into consideration

a broad range of forest values in determining forest management practices.

Meeting defined economic objectives, including capital investment and job creation, and

seeking out new business opportunities that provide measurable economic benefits for both

the province and the FMA holder.

The FMA gives the FMA holder the right to access Crown fibre. In return, the FMA holder

commits to forest management responsibilities, which may change from time to time.

Forest Management Plan Generic term for Preliminary Forest Management Plans, Detailed Forest Management Plans,

Forest Management Unit Plans, General Development Plans, Annual Operating Plans.

Forest Management Unit

(FMU)

An administrative unit of forest land designated by the Minister, as authorized under Section

14(1) of the Forests Act.

Forest officer An employee of Alberta appointed in accordance with the Public Service Act who

represents the Minister in the administration of the Forests Act, the Timber Management

Regulation, the Public Lands Act, and the Forest and Prairie Protection Act and Regulations

on public forested lands.

Forest operations Includes all activities related to timber harvesting, including site assessments, planning, road

construction, harvesting, reclamation and reforestation.

Forest operator The timber disposition holder or person responsible for controlling harvest planning and

operations in the timber disposition. It also refers to those persons working on behalf of the

disposition holder while conducting forest operations.

Forests Act, the The legislative statute that authorizes the Minister to administer and manage the forested

lands of Alberta.

Full Review An evaluation of the acceptability for approval of a submitted document involving referrals

to government departments, independent experts, or others as appropriate, and a risk

analysis prior to Alberta granting approval to the submitting Organization.

Genetic Diversity The genetic variability within a population or a species; the number and relative abundance

of alleles. Genetic diversity can be assessed at three levels:

Diversity within breeding populations,

Diversity between breeding populations within any one geographic area,

Diversity within the species

Grazing disposition An authorization issued by Alberta for the purpose of domestic livestock grazing on public

land (i.e., lease, license or permit).

Green-up period The time needed to re-establish vegetation after a disturbance. Specific green-up periods

may be established to satisfy visual objectives or hydrological requirements, or as a means

of ensuring re-establishment of vegetation (for silviculture, wildlife habitat or hydrological

reasons) before adjacent stands can be harvested.

Ground Rules Standards for operational planning and field practices that must be measurable and auditable

and based forest management plan objectives.

Growing Stock The sum (by number, basal area or volume) of trees in a forest or a specified part of it.

Guideline A preferred or advisable course of action respecting land and resource management.

Guidelines imply a degree of flexibility, based on administrative judgment or feasibility of

applying the guideline, and are consequently not normally enforceable through legal means.

Harvest area A specified land area with defined boundaries where timber harvesting is scheduled, or has

occurred. (commonly referred to as a cut block)

Harvest area form A map and harvest area comments for each laid-out harvest area.

Hiding cover See “sight distance.”

High-water mark Stream course water levels corresponding to the top of the unvegetated channel or

lakeshore.

Historical resource Any work of nature or man that is primarily of value for its palaeontological, archaeological,

prehistoric, historic, cultural, natural, scientific or aesthetic interest, including, but not

limited to, the structure or object and its surrounding site.

Inter-block Road Any temporary road that extends through a block to reach another block. It ends at the edge

of the last block connected to the road.

Interior block Road Any temporary road that is fully contained within a block (originates and ends within a

block).

Interpretive Bulletin Document issued from time to time by Alberta describing protocols, standards, methods or

other applicable to forest management planning.

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Harvest area aesthetics Overall quality of operations in respect to the real or imagined effect on visual quality

and/or the environment within a particular harvest area.

Harvest Level A volume or area of timber determined through timber supply analysis available for harvest

on an annual sustainable basis within a DFA. A harvest level is not an AAC unless

approved by the Minister.

Inoperable Classification of a forest site based on the potential to harvest timber on that site, as affected

by physiographic characteristics, moisture regime and harvesting equipment/technology.

Insects and Diseases Biological, physiological, and environmental agents that have an adverse effect on the

health of the forest. These agents include insects; nematodes; micro-organisms (viruses,

bacteria, fungi); parasitic plants; mammals; birds; and non-infectious disorders caused by

climate, soil, applied chemicals, air pollutants and other physiographic conditions.

Integrated resource

management (IRM)

IRM is an interdisciplinary and comprehensive approach to decision making for the

management of natural resources. IRM integrates decisions, legislation, policies, programs

and activities across sectors to gain the best overall long-term benefits for society and to

minimize conflicts. This approach recognizes that the use of a resource for one purpose can

affect both the use of a resource for other purposes and the management and use of other

resources. IRM is based on:

Co-operation, communication, co-ordination and the comprehensive consideration of all

resource values. This philosophy is centered on the belief that efforts to manage natural

resources will be more successful if they are co-ordinated at all levels within government;

and

Appropriate consultation before action. Those who are significantly affected by a decision

should have the opportunity to participate in the decision making process.

Integrated resource plan A regional plan developed by provincial government agencies in consultation with the

public and local government bodies. It provides strategic policy direction for the use of

public land and its resources within the prescribed planning area. It is used as a guide for

resource planners, industry and publics with responsibilities or interests in the area.

Interests The wants, needs, concerns and desires of each party that provide motivation to be

concerned about an issue or topic.

Interior forest conditions The environmental conditions typical of the central or interior part of a habitat patch. They

are usually relatively stable and are not influenced by the changing climatic conditions and

other variables (noise, wind, sunlight, temperature, moisture) associated with edge

conditions. [Dunster]

Issue The topic to be discussed. The problem to be solved. The theme of the discussion.

Laid Out Field assessment of harvest blocks and roads (on the ground) required prior to submission of

Forest Harvest Plan(s); also includes the delineation/marking of both harvest area

boundaries and roads on the ground. Examples of delineation/marking include but are not

limited to: ribbon, paint or other means approved by Alberta.

Landing Any area where logs are gathered for processing or further transport to a mill site.

Landscape A landscape (or LMU) is a heterogeneous area in which the pattern of the mosaic of local

ecosystems or land uses is repeated in similar form throughout kilometres wide area (after

Forman 1986). Landscapes may coincide with a climatic, physiographic or ecological

boundary. However, landscapes are not strictly ecologically based and include human use

and modification of the area.

Landscape fire

assessment

Information on the effects of fire which may be used to influence forest management

strategies and tactics over a landscape. The wildfire threat component of the landscape fire

assessment handles the negative aspects of fire, and fire regime analysis handles the positive

attributes. Both "wildfire threat" and "fire regime" need to be considered in order to provide

a balanced "landscape fire assessment." [Stegehuis]

Large patch of residual

trees

A 0.2 to 2 ha patch of undisturbed canopy forest surrounded by harvested area. At least half

of the trees in the patch should be large residual trees.

Large residual tree A residual tree with a diameter measured at breast height (DBH) greater than the

approximate average merchantable tree DBH of the harvest area.

Letter(s) of

Understanding

An agreement(s) signed between the Organization and the Crown outlining commitments

and timelines for each party on future timber production audits as referenced in the “Timber

Audit Framework.”

Logfill Stream crossings constructed with logs placed in a streambed parallel to the flow of the

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water.

Logging slash The unusable trees, shrubs or portions thereof that result after tree felling, skidding and

processing at the harvest site.

Machine-free zone The area protected from machinery which would cause soil damage.

Mass-wasting Movement of large masses of land, soil or regolith (i.e., slumping, landslides, rock slides

and massive undercut erosion).

Mature stands Stands that have reached rotation age or have a decreasing growth rate.

Mean Annual Increment The average annual increase in volume of individual trees or stands up to the specified point

in time. The MAI changes with different growth phases in a tree's life, being highest in the

middle years and then slowly decreasing with age. The point at which the MAI peaks is

commonly used to identify the biological maturity of the stand and its readiness for

harvesting.

Maximum Mean Annual

Increment

The volume available at the culmination of mean annual increment. The volume/ha

described by the point on a volume/ha: age graph where the curve of mean annual increment

crosses the curve of the current annual increment (CAI).

Mixedwood forest A forest type in which the softwood component is between 20% and 80% by crown closure.

Model An idealized representation of reality developed to describe, analyse or understand the

behaviour of some aspect of this reality. A mathematical representation of relationships

under study. The quest to find a subset of variables and a function between them that

predicts one or more dependent variables.

Modified Logfill Stream crossings constructed with logs placed over a pipe in a streambed parallel to the flow

of the water.

Native timber bridge Stream crossings constructed with logs that span the channel and are placed perpendicular to

the flow of the water.

Noxious Weed A plant designated under the Weed Regulation (AR 171/2001) of the Weed Control Act.

Off-highway vehicle

(OHV)

A type of vehicle designed specifically to operate off highway and can include but is not

limited to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), dirt bikes, and snow vehicles or as defined under

Section 117 of the Traffic Safety Act. A rolligon is not considered an OHV under this

definition.

Organization The proponent charged with developing the FMP. This may be a corporation, cooperative,

or a public agency.

Partial cutting A treatment where significantly less than 100% of the trees are harvested from a stand or

area. It includes commercial thinning, even when the intention is leading to a final clearcut.

Pattern The arrangement of forest stands or harvest units.

Permanent reserve An area permanently excluded from harvesting in the DFMP.

Permanent roads Roads that will be in use for more than three years.

Permanent sample plots

(PSP)

A fixed or variable area plot established for (forest) sampling and measurement purposes,

and designed for remeasurement.

Phase III forest inventory A provincial forest inventory of the forested lands of Alberta.

Planning Horizon The length of time over which a series of defined management actions occur. For the

purposes of modeling, usually equivalent to two full rotations.

Precautionary AAC A level of harvest set that minimizes the risk of negatively impacting forest resources from

an inadequately justified management assumption or in the absence of a comprehensive

DFMP for the DFA.

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Pre-commercial

Thinning

A silvicultural treatment to reduce tree density in young stands, carried out before the stems

reach merchantable size. The intent is to concentrate the site’s growth potential on fewer

trees thereby accelerating stand development and reducing the time to final harvest,

retaining more live crown, creating opportunities for future commercial thinning activities

and improving stand operability.

Preliminary Forest

Management Plan

A plan submitted by FMA holders within 12 months of signing a new agreement (includes a

major revision to an existing agreement). It establishes an interim harvest level and cut

sequence complete with justifications. This plan is the basis for harvest authorization until

replaced by the Detailed Forest Management Plan.

Prescribed burn The planned use of carefully controlled fire to accomplish predetermined management goals

(e.g., site preparation for planting, reduction of fire hazards or pest problems, improvement

of the ease with which the site can be traversed, and creation of better quality browse for

wildlife). [Dunster]

Prohibited debris Any flammable debris or waste material that, when burned, may result in the release of

dense smoke, offensive odours or toxic air contaminants. It includes:

(a) Garbage or refuse from commercial or industrial operations

(b) Rubber or plastic, or anything containing or coated with rubber or plastic or similar

substances

(c) Used oil from internal combustion engines, hydraulic oil and lubricants (d) Motor

vehicle tires.

Quadratic Diameter The diameter of the tree with average basal area for a given stand.

Quota The timber quota is a share of the allowable cut of coniferous timber within a forest

management unit.

Reclamation of roads Permanent removal of watercourse crossings; re-contouring of road crown and ditches;

reseeding or planting of the former right-of-way.

Recreationalist A person who participates in outdoor activities in the forest, such as horseback riding, ATV

riding, snowmobiling, hiking, cross-country skiing, wilderness area experience, hunting,

fishing, berry-picking, wildlife viewing, photography, camping, canoeing, etc.

Recreation Site Includes areas designated by Alberta as Ecological Reserves, Wilderness Areas, Wildland

Parks, Provincial Parks, Heritage Rangelands, Natural Areas, and Recreation areas.

Regeneration The renewal of a tree crop by natural or artificial means. It may also refer to the young crop

itself.

Regulated Forestry

Professional

A Registered Professional Forester (RPF) on the Registered Professional Forester Register

of the College of Alberta Professional Foresters (CAPF) or a Registered Professional Forest

Technologist (RFPT) on the Registered Professional Forest Technologist Register of the

College of Alberta Professional Forest Technologists (CAPFT).

Reserve In its strictest sense, an area of land designated as being off-limits to any exploitive

activities that might change the nature of the area. Not all reserves are so tightly controlled.

[Dunster]

Residual structure Standing structure that is taller than 2 m, within a harvested area. Areas buffered for

sensitive ecological or wildlife habitat may be included for residuals. Required buffers for

lakes and small and large permanent streams are not included. This includes non-

merchantable trees and shrubs, live merchantable trees, snags and stubs.

Residual tree A live canopy tree that is spatially within a harvested area. Areas buffered for sensitive

ecological or wildlife habitat may be included for residuals. Required buffers for lakes,

small and large permanent streams are not included.

Resources Physical and intrinsic features of the land, including but not limited to timber, wildlife,

water and soil.

Restricted Weed A plant designated under the Weed Regulation (AR 171/2001) of the Weed Control Act.

Review Acceptance or appraisal conducted by Alberta

Review Team A group of senior Alberta officials and the Forest Management Planning Forester formed to

review detailed forest management plans.

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Right-of-way (ROW) A cleared area, usually linear, containing a road and its associated features such as

shoulders, ditches, cut and fill slopes, or the area cleared for the passage of utility corridors

containing power lines or over- or under-ground pipelines. Typically, the right-of-way is a

specially designated area of land having very specific rights of usage attached. Rights-of-

way may be owned by someone else. [Dunster]

Riparian area or

management zone

(1) The band of land that has a significant influence on a stream ecosystem or is

significantly affected by the stream. It often has specialized plant and animal communities

associated with it. [Anon]

(2)Terrestrial areas where the vegetation complex and microclimate conditions are products

of the combined presence and influence of perennial and/or intermittent water, associated

high water tables and soils that exhibit some wetness characteristics. Normally used to refer

to the zone within which plants grow rooted in the water table of these rivers, streams, lakes,

ponds, reservoirs, springs, marshes, seeps, bogs and wet meadows. The riparian zone is

influenced by, and exerts an influence on, the associated aquatic ecosystem. [Dunster]

Rotation The period of years required to establish and grow even-aged timber crops to a specified

condition of maturity.

Ruts Machine depressions in the soil which are determined by depth and length: where the depth

of the organic dark humus material is greater than 30 cm, a rut is a depression that shears the

organic layer of soil (a sheared organic will expose a vertical face greater than 20 cm of the

organic layer).

Where the depth of the organic material is less than 30 cm, a rut is a depression exceeding

10 cm into the mineral soil.

Length: An impacted area meeting the rut depth criteria that is greater than 4 m long.

A continuous track with a rut less than 4 m because of stumps, logs or rocks lifting the

vehicle will still count as a rut if the total length of the smaller holes is greater than 4 m.

Rutting/ puddling A paste-like behaviour of wet soil when most of the soil pores are filled with water and soil

literally flows from underneath the wheel to the sides and upward forming visible tire

imprint into the mineral soil. Intensity/depth of rutting is directly related to the number of

equipment passes. Soil is considered susceptible to rutting when it forms a stable hand cast.

Selection Harvesting A silvicultural system used to create or maintain uneven aged stands. Usually accomplished

through the periodic removal of groups of trees or individual trees, while full residual stand

growth rates are maintained and natural regeneration from overstory trees is encouraged.

Not to be confused with selective harvesting, or high-grading, where trees are selected and

removed periodically based solely on economic criteria. Selective harvest is not designed to

improve the growing conditions of the remaining crop trees as Selection harvest is.

Sensitive or Complex

sites

Sites that have soil, water, slope, aesthetic, vegetation or wildlife characteristics that require

special protection beyond the normal precautions described in the ground rules. They may

be complex if many values or issues are involved.

Sensitive soil site Any site that may be prone to soil movement, soil erosion, mass wasting or siltation due to

steep slopes, wet ground, seepage areas, springs, fine textured soils or soils prone to mass

wasting.

Sensitivity Analysis An analytical procedure in which the value of one or more parameters is varied; the changes

that this produces are analysed in a series of iterative evaluations. If a small change in a

parameter results in a proportionately larger change in the results, the results are said to be

sensitive to the parameter.

Seral stages A stage in succession. A series of plant community conditions that develop during

ecological succession from a major disturbance to the climax stage. Most common

characteristics/classifications include tree species and age.

Sight distance The distance at which 90% or more of an adult big game animal is hidden from the view of

a human. This distance may vary from one stand to another.

Silt fence Permeable fabric barriers installed along the contour to filter surface water runoff and trap

sediment from sheet or overland flow and prevent it from entering streams.

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Silvicultural systems Systems that follow accepted silvicultural principles, whereby the tree crops are tended,

harvested and replaced to produce a crop of a desired form. This includes even-aged (i.e.,

clearcutting, shelterwood or seed tree cutting) or uneven-aged (i.e., selection cutting)

systems. A planned program of silviculture treatments over the life of a stand, it includes the

harvesting and the follow-up tending to the next rotation. [Smith, 1996]

Silvicultural Transitions Stand type or cover type changes resulting from planned silvicultural practices on the DFA

in natural and managed stands (i.e. natural to managed, managed to managed). Changes

relate to species and species mixes, densities and growth trajectories from basic or enhanced

management.

Silviculture The theory and practice of controlling the establishment, composition, health, structure and

growth of forests in order to achieve specified management objectives.

Site preparation Any action taken in conjunction with a reforestation effort (natural or artificial) to create an

environment favourable for survival of suitable trees during the first growing season.

Altering the ground cover, soil or microsite conditions can create this environment; using

biological, mechanical or manual clearing; prescribed burns; herbicides or a combination of

methods. [Dunster]

Skid trail An unimproved temporary forest trail suitable for use by equipment such as bulldozers and

skidders in bringing trees or logs to a landing or road.

Slenderness Coefficient The ratio of height to diameter at breast height. Used to estimate windthrow and breakage

potential of a stand.

Small patch of residual

trees

A patch of less than 0.2 ha of undisturbed canopy forest surrounded by harvested area. The

patch must be composed of at least four canopy trees. At least two of the trees in the patch

should be large residual trees.

Snag A dead tree that is taller than 2 m.

Soil degradation A reduction in soil quality caused by but not limited to the following conditions: rutting,

compaction, puddling or soil displacement.

Soil Displacement A loss of nutrient-rich organic layers, and top mineral soil as a result of harvesting activities.

Bare mineral soil is susceptible to raindrop impact causing soil crusting, increased surface

runoff, and erosion.

Soil disturbance In the context of the 5% maximum allowable area within a harvest area, includes bared

landing areas, temporary roads, displaced soils or ruts.

Soil productivity The capacity of a soil to provide for growth.

Spacing Factor Inter-tree distance expressed as a percentage of the stand’s top height.

Spatial Of, or existing in, space. [Webster’s]

Species at risk Any species known to be”at risk” after formal detailed status assessment and designation as

“Endangered” or “Threatened” in Alberta. The list of species is maintained by Alberta.

Species of management

concern

Species within the forest management planning area that have an identified value (social,

economic, ecological) and are managed to ensure their continued protection and/or use. This

includes species that are hunted or trapped, as well as those that are endangered or

threatened.

Spot gravelling Gravel required around environmental issues such as watercourse crossings, wet spots

(excluding muskegs), corners and steep grade.

Stand A community of trees sufficiently uniform in species, age, arrangement or condition as to be

distinguishable as a group in the forest or other growth in the area. A stand may also be that

polygon as defined in the AVI or Phase III inventory.

Stand Density

Management Diagram

(SDMD)

A stand model based on data from the –3/2 power law for self-thinning. Illustrates the

relationships between diameter and height with stand density over time.

Strippings Layers of humus-bearing topsoil and fine woody material above mineral soil that have been

stripped off during road or landing construction.

Stub A large residual tree that has been “topped off” at approximately 6 m to create an artificial

snag.

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Subgrade The road base.

Subsequent pass Any harvest occurring after the first harvest pass.

Suppression capability The effectiveness of traditional fire suppression tactics. It is an objective evaluation of initial

attack response time, access for ground support resources, water availability and terrain

which might adversely impact movement of resources.

Sustainable forest

management (SMF)

Management to maintain and enhance the long-term health of forest ecosystems, while

providing ecological, economic, social and cultural opportunities for the benefit of present

and future generations.

Temporal Of, or limited by, time. [Webster’s]

Temporary field

authority (TFA)

An authority issued under Section 19 of the Public Lands Act by an Alberta officer to grant

short-term land use activities on public land in the White or Green Areas. The TFA may or

may not be related to an existing disposition that has also been issued under the Public

Lands Act. The concept is to provide field-level service to an applicant, with access to

public land for a specific purpose/use/activity, for a term of less than or equal to one year.

Temporary Machine

Crossing

Crossing structure not connected to an existing road but used for equipment crossing

(including OHV) of ephemeral and intermittent watercourses.

Temporary road Roads that are part of a harvest area or that connect harvest areas, and are built, used and

reclaimed before expiry of the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) or reclaimed within three

years of construction.

Thermal cover Generally, an area of at least 10 ha having a coniferous canopy at least 10 m in height, with

at least 70% crown closure and a minimum width of 200 m. This cover is used by animals to

assist in their temperature regulation during extreme weather conditions.

Three-pass harvest A harvest pattern in which all the available merchantable timber in an area is harvested in

three separate passes. Normally it is done over approximately equal areas and in equal

volumes.

Timber disposition Licenses and permits that allow forest operators to harvest from Crown lands.

Timber Management

Regulation

The legislative statute that describes the mechanism and regulations by which the forested

lands of Alberta are managed. The Regulation is associated with the Forests Act.

Timber Operations Includes all activities related to timber harvesting including site assessments, planning, road

construction, harvesting, reclamation and reforestation.

Timber supply analysis

(TSA)

Calculations/computer models with built-in assumptions regarding forest growth patterns,

used to determine the annual allowable cut (AAC).

Timing constraints A restriction or limitation on when an activity may be carried out.

Tolerance Limits Acceptable degree of change that can be allowed before corrective action is taken.

Trapper Holder of a trapping license.

Two-pass harvest A harvest pattern in which all the merchantable timber in an area is harvested in two harvest

passes. Normally, the harvest is done over approximately equal areas and in equal volumes.

Understorey The trees and other woody species growing under the canopies of larger adjacent trees and

other woody growth. [Dunster]

Uneven-aged stand Stands in which the trees differ markedly in age, usually with a span greater than 20 years.

Unstable slope Slopes of loose or poorly consolidated materials beyond the angle of repose, geological

features having a high probability of failure, or soils that will not support loads.

Utilization The portion of the stand or individual tree used for manufacture of wood products, defined

in terms of piece length and diameter at each end. Minimum standards for utilization are

defined in the timber disposition.

Validated work

(Validation)

Work that has been prepared by, or reviewed and approved by an RFP. These professionals

are subject to an enforceable code of ethics and standards of practice and are expected to

complete their work with due diligence to ensure such work is accurate. The RFPs who

validate the work may have done the work themselves, contracted the work to be done, or

supervised those who did the work, but in any case, the validating RFPs are accountable for

the work being prepared with due diligence and being accurate. If more than one RFP is

involved in preparing the work, the RFP that is most directly involved in the work is to

validate the work.

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Values at risk A listing of values which may be at risk of being reduced by wildfire. In order to complete a

spatial “priority” evaluation, information regarding values is required.

Variance Any change from a planned activity or result as compared to the actual activity or result.

Variance refers to the actual total change not net change. (i.e., cumulative not

compensatory, Two individual variances of (+5) and (-5) = a total variance of 10, not zero)

Viable understorey Trees of desirable merchantable species that are windfirm and of sufficient vigour that they

will continue to grow after harvest.

Viewshed The visible area, as it appears from one or more viewpoints.

Visual impact analysis

(VIA)

Estimates visual impact potential, determines acceptable design and layout, and guides

measures to be taken during and upon completion of operations to reduce visual contrast.

Visual quality objectives

(VQO)

Broad objectives for visual resource management that set limits considered acceptable to the

average viewer, as to the form and scale of visible alteration.

Visual resource

assessment (VRA)

A relatively intensive reconnaissance of a landscape or parts of a landscape. A forest

management planning framework for assessing Alberta’s visual resource base in a

consistent and systematic manner. Consists of four planning phases: visual resource

inventory, visual quality objectives, visual impact analysis and total resource design.

Visual resource

inventory (VRI)

A quick and simple process of recording the expanses of viewable area, noting key features,

their prominence and sensitivity in order to better direct proposed harvesting operations in

scenic or visually important areas.

Visual Resource

Management

A standardized process of identifying and assessing visual values to ensure that proposed

industrial developments in visually sensitive areas of Alberta, are planned and developed in

a consistent manner. The process used is called a Visual Resource Assessment.

Water availability Availability of water which can be utilized for fire suppression.

Water regime Timing of water flow.

Water source area That portion of a watershed where soils are water-saturated and/or surface flow occurs and

contributes directly to streamflow. The area of saturated interflow associated with a stream.

Watercourse The bed, bank or shore of a river, stream, creek or lake or other natural body of water,

whether it contains or conveys water continuously or intermittently.

Watershed An area of land, which may or may not be under forest cover, that drains water, organic

matter, dissolved nutrients and sediments into a lake or stream. The topographic boundary,

usually a height of land, that marks the dividing line from which surface streams flow in two

different directions. [Dunster]

Wildland Urban

Interface Zone

The area where various structures and other human developments meet or are intermingled

with the forest and other vegetative fuel types.

Wildlife Any species of amphibian, bird, fish, mammal and reptile found in the wild, living

unrestrained or free roaming and not domesticated. Some definitions include plants, fungi,

algae and bacteria. [Dunster]

Wildlife corridor A strip of forest with a minimum width of 100m that connects two forested areas.

Wildlife zone As defined on Fish and Wildlife Referral Maps.

Windfirm boundaries Harvest area boundaries established at locations that are stable and that minimize the

potential for timber losses from wind.

Woody Vegetation Includes shrubs and trees that generally transition from sedges, cattails and grasses around

water bodies.

Yield Curve Graphical representation of a yield table.

Yield Table A summary table showing, for stands (usually even aged) of one or more species on

different sites, characteristics at different ages of the stand.

Zone of Imminent

Competition Mortality

(ZICM)

The density at which mortality occurs due to intra-specific competition.

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List of Initialisms

AAC Annual Allowable Cut

AOP Annual Operating Plan

ARC Approval Review Committee

BOR Basic Operating Rules

CAPF College of Alberta Professional Foresters

CAPFT College of Alberta Professional Forest Technologists

CCFM Canadian Council of Forest Ministers

CT Commercial Thinning

COP Codes of Practice (Watercourse Crossings Codes of Practice, Water Act).

CSA Canadian Standards Association

C&I Criteria and Indicators

DHAP Detailed Harvest Area Plan

DFMP Detailed Forest Management Plan

EFM Enhanced Forest Management

FLUZ Forest Land Use Zone

FMA Forest Management Agreement

FMP See definitions - Forest Management Plans (generic)

FMU Forest Management Unit

G&Y Growth and Yield

GDP General Development Plan

IRM Integrated Resource Management

IRP Integrated Resource Management Plan

MAIMax Maximum Mean Annual Increment

PCT Pre-commercial Thinning

PDT Plan Development Team

PFMP Preliminary Forest Management Plan

PPG Public Participation Group

RFP Regulated Forestry Professional

RPF Registered Professional Forester

RPFT Registered Professional Forest Technologist

SFM Sustainable Forest Management

SYU Sustained Yield Unit

ToR Terms of Reference

TMR Timber Management Regulation made under the Forests Act

VOIT Values, Objectives, Indicators and Targets

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